The Spilling Ink Project

The Spilling Ink Project weaves memorable tales from Indian folklore and mythology that unfold through rich, traditional South Indian classical dance forms. An intricate language of hand gestures combined with dramatic facial expressions takes audiences on a colorful journey to India. Melodic music including rhythmic percussion, colorful costuming along with narration in English embellishes the program. Katha: Tales from India is an engaging and interactive way for participants of all ages to learn about India and its culture. Vijay Palaparty and Nalini Prakash are renowned artists from the U.S. and India whose performances and outreach programs tour widely. Like their namesake, the Spilling Ink Project dancers express fresh and creative aspects of Indian heritage.

“Our kids loved it! The teachers were really impressed and many commented on how special it was for their students to get a glimpse of a culture that most of them would never have had exposure to.”

     - ST. LEONARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

$650 single show / $775 back-to-back shows / Wonderful Day $1200

Fees above are for school daytime programs in Maryland, Washington, DC and northern Virginia only.*
Evening, weekend, workshop and non-school fees differ - please contact us.
*Travel fees are additional 
See Programs for detailed information

MEET THE ARTISTS

Nalini Prakash

Nalini Prakash is an acclaimed dancer, choreographer and teacher who has performed throughout India and the United States for more than three decades. Her training primarily took place at Shree Bharatalaya (Chennai), where she studied and performed with its founder and principal dancer, Sudharani Raghupathy. She was awarded a Government of India scholarship in recognition of her talent as a dancer. Nalini was instrumental in establishing and spreading arts education in the Nilgiris region through her school of Bharatanatyam, Silambam, in Coonoor, and also by founding the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Nilgiris Kendra, part of a larger national institute committed to Indian culture, heritage and education. To recognize her efforts in bringing the arts to an underserved area, the Rotary Club of Nilgiris presented Nalini with an award for Vocational Excellence. Nalini holds a master’s degree in dance/movement therapy from Drexel University (Philadelphia), and a master’s degree in performing arts from Baroda University. Currently she is working towards integrating elements of Indian dance and creative movement in her work as a therapist at St. Elizabeths Hospital (Washington, DC), to enhance the quality of life for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.

Vijay Palaparty

Vijay Palaparty is a Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer and choreographer based in Washington, DC. He has trained in India with Uma Rama Rao at Lasya Priya (Hyderabad) and with Sudharani Raghupathy at Shree Bharatalaya (Chennai). Vijay has also trained with Padma Rajagopal at Nupur Anjali School of Dance (Cleveland). He is founder and co-artistic director of The Spilling Ink Project, through which he produces and presents literary, visual and performing arts projects. The company is on the roster of Class Acts Arts in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, reaching more than 20,000 individuals on an annual basis through its programs. Vijay was awarded an artist fellowship from the District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH), recognizing his significant contributions to the arts and for promoting the arts in Washington, DC through artistic excellence. He was also recognized through DCCAH’s Young Artist program, which recognizes young segments of Washington, DC who create art and contribute to the vitality of the city. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a bachelor’s degree in professional writing and two master’s degrees—in professional writing and in literary and cultural studies, Vijay is director of communications, finance writer at NACHA – The Electronic Payments Association. He is also pursuing his M.B.A. at the University of Maryland (College Park, MD). 

*See Programs for Artist Fees