Asha and Nartana Premachandra
Sharing Culture, Forging Connection Through the Dances of India
“Dancing really does take you to a different level of being.”
ASHA AND NARTANA AUDIO INTERVIEW
Audio excerpts in progress
To learn how the Premachandras have been sharing Indian classical dance with the St. Louis community for over 40 years, read their special feature.
Nartana with her father, who had the vision years ago to share Indian culture with the St. Louis community
Asha (seated L) was honored as a St. Louis Visionary for her lifelong dedication to teaching Indian classical dance.
Asha and Nartana Premachandra
Asha and Nartana Premachandra, a mother and daughter duo, together form the artistic and operational heart of Dances of India, one of the oldest Indian dance companies in the U.S. Founded by Asha and her late husband Dr. B.N. Premachandra, a medical researcher of endocrinology, the performance company integrates epic Indian storytelling with the artistry of classic dance movements. There was not much of a South Asian presence when Nartana’s parents first moved here, and their passion for sharing Indian art and music contributed to a richer appreciation of cultural diversity in the St. Louis community.