Hi! My name is Dr. Nidhi Chillara. It is nice to meet you. The following images are meant only to introduce myself beyond my white coat. I understand how complicated, messy, and uncomfortable it is to spill your guts to a stranger. Hopefully, this helps some.
The captions detail some of my thoughts at the time.
(1996), one of my first performances at a cultural center in Danbury, CT.
Wondering how many ways I could remember the sequence of dance steps. I loved posing back then and dressing up was way too much fun.
(2006), my graduating performance in Danbury, CT.
A bundle of nerves amidst a four-hour marathon. I looked into a crowd of people dancing to live music, but all the while, I wondered when the Gatorade would hit—a delicate balance between stamina and sequence.
(2009), performing in New Jersey with a new dance school.
Appearance was a massive part of competitive dancing, so unfortunately, the makeup needed to be on point. With seniority in experience, the jewelry was more ornate, including a traditional headset, necklaces, and nose rings.
(2010), backstage before one of my first college team performances in Boston, MA.
Finally, I get to throw some glitter to the eyes, exploring fusion styles. Ah, the curiosity of a fresh undergraduate.
(2011), backstage during a tour in Andhra Pradesh, India.
I switched back into traditional mode with a shawl around my shoulders. The high bun meant business back then.
(2011), towards the end of tour in Andhra Pradesh, India.
At this point, fully enjoying myself in the art of performance. Less nerves, more flow. We were all glad it was the production we imagined.
(2015), my last performance with a dance school in Cleveland, Ohio.
Feeling like a natural dancer, after nearly nineteen years, hundreds of stage shows, and hundreds of hours practiced.
Above are the “big bill” hairstyle, necklaces, and double belts typically worn once matured into a classical dancer by traditional standards.
It's somewhat different from what I do now…to some extent.
I hope I got to introduce myself. Now…head to gallery 2 for some stateside exploring!
