Raina displays power of dance
Former Warragul resident Raina Peterson will take centre stage at the Midsumma Festival in Melbourne next week with her unique cabaret inspired take on Indian dance.
Raina has developed into a leader in the Indian dance art field and is co-artistic director of “Karma Dance”.
Her second full-length original show “Bent Bollywood”, choreographed with co-artistic director and dance partner Govind Pillai, will blend the technical rigour of classical Indian dance with contemporary and Bollywood theatrics.
Asked to describe the piece, Raina said it “looks at what it is to be queer and Indian through dance”.
It is a moving and complex piece whilst also offering a sexy and naughty twist.
Raina was born in Warragul, attending kinder through to year seven in the district. She is a past student of Warragul Primary School and Warragul Regional College.
Her parents were founding members of Gippsland Indian Association.
Raina was introduced to dance at age five. She briefly attended KC’s School of Dance in Warragul but it was a Gippsland-based intensive performing arts program which ignited her passion.
“I always really enjoyed doing creative things,” said Raina. “Music as well.”
Whilst still living in Warragul, Raina travelled to Melbourne to study classical Indian dance.
Later at university, Raina was tasked an assignment to hold a public discussion on racism. Instead of writing or speaking, Raina and two friends performed a cabaret show to complete the task.
The show was performed around Melbourne and at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, propelling her into activism through dance around the queer scene in Melbourne.
Now aged 32, Raina is one of very few professional teachers of classical Indian dance style “Mohiniyattam” and performs around Australia and internationally.
Her first full-length work, “In Plain Sanskirt”, debuted two years ago at the Footscray Community Arts Centre to rave reviews. Its success also resulted in a tour to New Zealand.
“I was a bit surprised. We didn’t know how well it would go.”
Raina’s next aim is to develop a full-length classical Indian dance show.
She hasn’t yet returned to Gippsland as a professional performer.
“It would be great to tour there,” she said. “I remember seeing shows at the theatre there. It would be a trip down memory lane.”
Midsumma Festival is an annual arts and culture celebration of the LGBTQIA+ communities.
There will be six performances of “Bent Bollywood” at Brunswick Mechanics Institute between Thursday, January 25 and Saturday, February 3.
It is an adults-only show with nudity and sexual content.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $22 for concession and $20 for groups.
For further information, visit bent.karmadance.org.