Community Spotlight: Rathna Kumar
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2025 with our calendar of live events, recommendations, and on-demand content!
Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people — and our work to advance cultural exchange is possible in large part thanks to the community partners with whom we've collaborated over the years. Each of these numerous organizations and individuals brings a unique background and area of expertise that, combined with their passion and generosity, help strengthen and enrich our programs, from innovative arts to energetic festivals and camps to lively panel discussions.
Through our Community Spotlights, we're excited to shine a light on some of our partners with whom we've been fortunate to collaborate over the years.
About Rathna Kumar
Rathna Kumar has performed and presented multiple performances at Asia Society Texas, including at the opening of our Center in 2012. She started her dance journey at the age of four, and her professional career as a performing solo dancer began when she was nine years old. She has performed all over the world at prestigious events and festivals, as well as venues such as the Téatre des Champs Elysée in Paris, France. In 1975, she settled in Houston, Texas, where she established the first Indian dance institute in the United States, Anjali Center for Performing Arts, which is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Rathna is an acclaimed performer, choreographer, teacher, arts educator, and cultural ambassador. Also a scholar, linguist, singer, public speaker, and published author, Rathna specializes in two classical dance forms, Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, which she studied under renowned Gurus K.J. Sarasa and Vempati Chinna Satyam respectively. She has also studied Abhinaya under Mylapore Gowri Ammal and Kalanidhi Narayanan. In January 2023 she was named Artist of the Year 2023 by Dance Source Houston.
How our partnership began
Rathna shares, “I read about the Asia Society a couple of years after moving to Houston from India, read up about the work they did, called them up, promptly offered to volunteer, and became a member. That was nearly 45 years ago. I fell in love with the ambiance and still feel the same. When my students and I were given the opportunity to perform at the opening of AST’s beautiful new Center, I was thrilled and elated. I am both proud and honored to continue being a member of the AST, my most visited place in Houston, and the place where I enjoy taking my friends and visitors.”
What we enjoy about partnering with Rathna
Rathna Kumar is a true treasure in the Houston community and an instrumental leader in developing and strengthening our ties through the performing arts. She is the first person to found a classical Indian dance school in the United States, a teacher to countless students, and a tireless spokesperson for this timeless art form. Rathna's work engages with and elevates artists and performers not only in the South Asian community, but also with Houston's wider communities. Recent productions A Story, A Song, and a Dance and Transcending Borders: The Ramayana Project are prime examples of her willingness and interest to pursue artistic collaborations across cultures. Rathna is also an absolute joy to work with: diligent and exacting in her art and her expectations for her students; generous in her collaborations and support of all artists in our community; and warm and welcoming to all.
What Rathna enjoys about partnering with us
Reflecting on her experiences working with us, Rathna says, “My most rewarding memories have been when my non-profit organization, Samskriti, collaborated with AST to present two original cross-cultural premieres. A Story, A Song, and A Dance, with Indian and flamenco musicians and dancers and narration by an African American storyteller, happened just after the COVID pandemic fear had subsided, and Transcending Borders: The Ramayana Project, which played to a full house in August 2023, was repeated at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in August 2024. The cast had over 60 Thai, Indian, Sri Lankan and Indonesian dancers, Indian musicians, a Thai drummer, and the Gamelan of the New Moon ensemble. It was a most harmonious and joyous experience.”
What we're looking forward to next!
Indian Performing Arts Samskriti, which Rathna also co-founded and where she serves as Artistic Director, will present their annual performance at Miller Outdoor Theatre, Arisi – Grains of Life, on Friday, May 16. This production, performed by Apsaras Arts Dance Company, continues Rathna’s interest in performing arts that reaches across cultures in this multi-disciplinary performances inspired by the way that rice links humanity across Asia.
About APAH Month at Asia Society Texas
Beginning in 2021, Asia Society Texas has celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the Houston community and beyond through a curated calendar of events for 31 ways to celebrate over the 31 days of May. Spotlighting the traditions, talents, and contributions of Asians and Asian Americans, the calendar highlights the month's key Asia Society programming, providing a platform to showcase local artists, performers, educators, and leaders who contribute to the vibrant, multicultural tapestry of Houston while also featuring staff recommendations for our favorite music, books, movies, and more by Asian and Asian American creatives.
At Asia Society Texas, APAH Month is an opportunity to celebrate and honor Asians and Asian Americans and to uplift their stories to a broader audience as part of our goal to inspire our larger community to better understand one another through culture, conversation, and connection. For information about sponsoring APAH Month and other projects like this one, please contact Saleena Jafry at [email protected] or 713.496.9939.
Presenting Sponsor of APAH Month at Asia Society Texas
Sponsors of APAH Month
Comcast
CITGO
APAH Month 2025 Calendar
Digital Calendar Interactive/Printable PDF
Past APAH Month Calendars
2024: Highlights | Details
2023: Highlights | Details
2022: Highlights | Details
2021: Details
About Asia Society Texas
Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.
