"Indeed, the most valuable player of the evening who captivated the audience with her scintillating Bollywood item. Power packed performance....Sumona Apsara Parii is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, a bharatanatyam teacher, a yoga guru and a choreographer and above all full of charm." ~~Vinatha Kumar, Dance Reviewer in Maryland of NFIA Empowering Women and Girls Seminar 2015 Bollywood Dance Performance

 

"Sumona Apsara Parii  (Artistic Director of ShivShakti School of Dance) followed next.   Sumona's strong point is her Divine Energy and Keen Enthusiasm.     Sumona reminded me of a Gazelle when she flitted across the stage in graceful movements, in all the four items she performed.   Sumona's Vatsalya Bhava especially the way she rocked baby Krishna  to and fro, stole my heart  in the well know padam " Chinna chiru Kiliye."  

 

Motherhood is indeed  awe inspiring as portrayed by Sumona... her excellent  portrayal of Sringara Rasa in  her impeccable rendition of "Chaliye Kunjan Mohe, tum hum mile shyam hari....."   As a moon struck Nayika,  Sumona's  Eye expressions were  full of Madhutrya rasa for her Lord and Beloved Krshna . The melodious voice of Sumona's bhaiyya,  Srikanth Gopalakrishnan,  complemented  the dancer's choice items.  

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Sumona is very centered and her dance reflects her passion for this Art Form , Bharatanatyam   - She is indeed  a Nritya yogini.   Even more interesting is Sumona has a thankful and grateful heart and always acknowledges the influence of her mentors in shaping her Dance career.     As a last minute entrant in this event , Sumona also rose to the Occasion by performing  four solo items of great quality."  ~~Vinatha Kumar, Dance Reviewer in Maryland, May 2015

 

"The subcontinent was honored with a dance performed by Sumona Apsara Parii, a Bharata Natyam dancer and now teacher of Indian dance techniques in the DC-Metro area.  Apsara Parii performed to the Bollywood song Aaja Nachle, from the film of the same name, wowing the audience with her grace and passion." ~~Simukh S. Manku, India Current Magazine, June 2014

 

"Less than two months after relocating to Washington D.C, Bharata Natyam dancer Sumona Apsara Parii...performed at the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrations hosted by United States government agencies last month.....Delia Johnson, Director of Civil Rights of Voice of American said,'The dance performed by Sumona Apsara Parii was fantastic and kept the audience in awe at such a disciplined and skillful presentation by a true artist...She is simply superb!'

 

....As her fame spread by word of mouth, Apsara Parii was invited by the Department of Justice to perform at its Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration...Apsara Parii ended the May celebrations of Diversity and Asian Heritage Month with her performance at the Immigration and Custom Enforcement." ~~Aziz Haniffa, India Abroad, June 8, 2012