Nikhitha studied Bharatanatyam since the age of seven with her Guru, and completed her Arangethram. She notes dance as her outlet and a venue to be all she wants to be, without any inhibitions, She recently completed her Masters in Healthcare Services Administration, graduating in the top of her class. She is excited to share that she is starting her new job at the Holy Cross Hospital in Florida as a Clinical Integration Specialist in the Fall. 

How do Traditional Arts and Medicine combine?

The role of traditional arts such as Bharatanatyam and medicine may seem indistinct and unrelated. However, dance is a type of medicine because it serves as a mean for exercise, yoga, meditation and spirituality. Moreover, traditional arts can play a role in in helping to heal healthcare providers because the arts encourage individuals to think outside of the box, understand other’s perspectives, and have empathy and patience for others. The traditional arts could be utilized as an effective platform to communicating effective medical stories or bringing awareness to healthcare issues. 

–Nikhitha Yakkanti

Choreography Project: 

Bringing Dronagiri: How Ayurveda Is Performed in Bharatanatyam Dance

I would like to show the blend of Indian mythology and Modern Ayurvedic Medicine now. I am going to depict the scene of when Ravana’s son (Indrajit) wounds Lakshmana in the battle grounds and is nearly killed. Hanuman was called upon to bring the magical herbs from the Mountain of Dronagiri on the slopes of the Himalayas. Unable to identify which herb to bring to save Lakshmana, Hanuman lifts the whole mountain and brings it to save Lakshmana. From here, I will go on to depict how the uses and positive effects Modern Ayuverdic Medicine has been utilized over the years to save and improve lives.