Nala Najan

🪔 About

Nala Najan, born Roberto Theodore Rivero on June 28, 1932, in Pennsylvania, U.S., was a prominent American figure in Indian classical dance, a performer, teacher, choreographer, researcher, author, and critic. His early exposure included violin, piano, and ballet, but Bharatanatyam became his life's passion. In 1947, he embarked on a journey to India to immerse himself in Bharatanatyam, arriving in Malabar (Kerala) and then Madras (Chennai). He was connected to Mohan Khokar by Ted Shawn, the father of Modern American Dance. Najan trained in Bharatanatyam under the esteemed Guru Muthukumaran Pillai of Kattumannarkoil, Chidambaram, and also learned violin and Bharatanatyam from Narayanaswamy Iyer. He further expanded his repertoire by learning Kathak in 1949 and later, in 1962, traveled to Seraikella to learn Seraikella Chhau, where he was a state guest of the Maharaja. Najan was instrumental in promoting Seraikella Chhau in the U.S., organizing tours for dancers and enlisting impresario Sol Hurok. Najan performed in New York City, making his formal debut in 1954 at the Kauffman Auditorium with Gina Blau, and later performed at the Henry Street Playhouse in 1955. Critics, including Walter Terry of the New York Herald Tribune, lauded his performances. In the 1970s, Nala Najan transitioned to a full-time critic in New York, contributing extensively to Sruti magazine from New York, where he was considered a stellar correspondent specializing in Indian classical dance. He also played a significant role in helping Ted Shawn and Sol Hurok organize tours for visiting Indian artists in the U.S. Nala Najan passed away on January 7, 2002, in a New York City hospital. His contributions were recognized with an Arts India Award from the Sruti Foundation. His legacy is further documented in a multi-volume work by his disciple, Padma. Awards & Honours: Arts India Award.