Makerstraject X-change participants

“Hi all, I’m Suraya Ramdas, a 24-year-old studying Tax Law and living in the beautiful city The Hague. Beside my law books, dancing is a big passion of me. Since the age of 10, I’ve been trained in the Indian classical dance form known as Bharata Natyam. Some years later, I had the opportunity to participate in a dance production where the Indian classical dance and Western dance came together in a contemporary fusion. I felt in love with the freedom of expression they offer. Whether I’m gracefully portraying ancient tales through Bharat Natyam or losing myself in the rhythm of contemporary beats, dance is where I find my truest self. A dance companion brought to my attention this creative project ‘X-Change’ that really intrigued me. The challenge lies in working with a variety of dance styles and dancers. I thought it would be exciting to explore different perspectives and perhaps draw inspiration that could enhance my own dance form. See you on the 15th of June!”

“I am Pooja Karthik, a 28-year-old originally from Chennai, India, and currently residing in Rotterdam and working as a Structural Engineer. I trained in Bharatanatyam during my youth and continue to pursue it. I am eager to join this exchange program to delve into the creative aspects of choreography, and to embrace new perspectives and flexibility in evolving my style. Here is my dance portfolio.” 

Carmen Saez is a painter and dancer originally from Murcia (Spain). She lives in the Netherlands since 2012. When she was 6 she started her dance studies in ballet and flamenco and at the age of 18 she started deeply studying Arab dance. She also Studies Fine Arts in Murcia University (Spain) where she studied Painting, Drawing, Sculpture and Design. In 2010 she started dancing as a solo dancer with the Istanbul based group Baba Zula and she covered the tour through Turkey. In 2013 she collaborated with the dance school Pretima Ke Dewashrie in The Hague, Netherlands. She is currently immersed setting in the Netherlands the dance project DROM as an assistant for the choreographer Cristiane Azem. At the moment she focuses on the Flamenco, Arabic and Al Andalus dance roots.

Antara Bhattacharjee is a Kathak dancer from Den Haag. Originally from Kolkata and living in The Netherlands for the last 1.5 years with her husband and two dogs. She’s trained as a Kathak dancer and also has a Masters in English Literature. She started to learn Kathak under the guidance of her Guru Shree Santosh Mitra at the age of 5, and still is very enthusiastic to learn more and more. In 2023, she started to learn Kathak from her teacher Mrs. Saumya Shukla at The Gandhi Centre as an advance batch student. Dancing has always been her passion and the way to express herself.

Antara will be performing Thumri.

“Hi all, I’m Suraya Ramdas, a 24-year-old studying Tax Law and living in the beautiful city The Hague. Beside my law books, dancing is a big passion of me. Since the age of 10, I’ve been trained in the Indian classical dance form known as Bharata Natyam. Some years later, I had the opportunity to participate in a dance production where the Indian classical dance and Western dance came together in a contemporary fusion. I felt in love with the freedom of expression they offer. Whether I’m gracefully portraying ancient tales through Bharat Natyam or losing myself in the rhythm of contemporary beats, dance is where I find my truest self. A dance companion brought to my attention this creative project ‘X-Change’ that really intrigued me. The challenge lies in working with a variety of dance styles and dancers. I thought it would be exciting to explore different perspectives and perhaps draw inspiration that could enhance my own dance form. See you on the 15th of June!”

Suraya will be performing Ganesh vandana.

Reeja Vinod Karrai has been formally training in dance since the age of 4. She is trained in various Indian (Bharatanatyam & Kathak) and International (Salsa, Contemporary, Jazz funk, Bellydance) styles and currently is the Founder & Creative director of Raqsology – School of MENA & Belly dance movement. She offers Bellydance, Bollywood and BellyBolly Fusion sessions. She is also a former Zumba fitness and Mat Pilates instructor and has an AFAA group fitness and Yoga teacher certification.

Reeja will be performing Raqs Al Assaya.

Rebeca Rodriguez Frohwein born in Madrid, Spain and daughter of a Spanish father and Dutch mother. Lived in Madrid until the age of 10 and then moved to the Netherlands. “I love to dance. All my life. Flamenco for me is a way to express what I feel and share it with the audience. It brings me joy, relaxation and pleasure. And it is also a way for me to connect with the Spanish part in me. I dance at dance school LizDans with Lizzy Verloop. She gives classes in Rijswijk (Huis van de Stad) at different levels and also performs regularly herself.”

Rebeca will be performing Seguiriyas.