Bharatanatyam
Harinie Jeevitha
Harinie Jeevitha is a dedicated artiste who has been learning the art of Bharathanatyam from the age of six. With the able guidance and training from her Teacher, Dr. Smt. Sheela Unnikrishnan, Harinie has come a long way in proving her artistry in this field with grace and vitality. Unyielding faith in hard work and her passion for learning has accelerated this journey in which she aspires to imbibe and internalise the intricacies and essence of this art form to the best of her ability.
Harinie had her Arangetram in 2006 and has been performing extensively since then. Being a regular performer in the December Music and Dance Season, she has had the opportunity to perform for esteemed Sabhas in Chennai.
Apart from proving her forte in Bharathanatyam in many avenues in Chennai, Harinie has performed all over India with her Teacher’s troupe. She has had the privilege of dancing in prestigious dance festivals held in Mamallapuram, Konark, Vizak etc. She has also presented solo and group performances abroad.
Harinie is a recipient of the BALSHREE award (2009), constituted by the Govt. of India to children in the field of performing arts. She has been a recipient of scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India under the ‘Scholarship to Young Artists Scheme’ (2015-16, 2016-17). Harinie is also an ‘A’ grade artiste in Doordarshan.
Pavithra Krishna Bhat
One of the most distinguished disciples of the renowned Bharatanatyam exponent Guru Shri Deepak Mazumdar took his initial training from Kalanjali under Kumari Vasantha at present continuing his advance training under Smt. Nithyakalyani Vaidhyanathan, Chennai.
Clarity and geometry marked this slim dancer’s movements, while his footwork was powerful.“ said The Hindu. Termed as an effortless dancer with precise movements Pavitra has been appreciated for his pure dance and sensitive Abhinaya by critics,
connoisseurs and peers.
Teaching Bharatantyam since past 22 years to young talents and conducting workshops across the globe to share his love towards spreading the Art form. Pavitra along with his Master’s in Performing Arts Degree in Bharatantyam, he is also ICCR Empanelled artist and ‘A Grade’ artist of Doordarshan , Pavitra has performed across the country for prestigious festivals like the SNA’s Nrutya Prathibha , Khajuraho festival , NCPA , Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre , Habitat centre , IIC , Kalaghoda festival , Music Academy to mention a few. For his constant efforts , he has been awarded and recognised with Acharya Vishwanath Dev Sharma Talent search Award by Vedic Heritage, New York.
Most Recently awarded with the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from Sangeet Natak
Academi for outstanding contribution as a young Bharatanatyam Artist and Yuva Prathibha from Utsav
Cultural Foundation , New Delhi.
Lakshmi Vishwanathan Award for Abhinaya by Krishna Gana Sabha ,Chennai
• YUVA KALA BHARATHI – Bharath Kalachaar , Chennai
• Aarsha Kala Choodamani Title conferred by Shri Dayaananda Saraswati ji in Pensylvania (USA)
• PANDIT BHIMSEN JOSHI Award
• Asarsha Dombivlikar Puraskar
• KALA RATNA AWARD – CLEVELAND Tyagaraja Aradhana –USA
Pavitra has widen his artistic horizon by choreographing some dance productions like Abhangawani , Shri
Ranga , Krishnartha and Palini.
To fulfil his urge to teach and spread knowledge to local talents he began P.A.V.I. (Pavitra Art Visual
Institute), A Bharatanatyam Institute established in Dombivli - a suburb of Mumbai.
Prathibha Ramaswamy
Prathibha Ramaswamy is a dedicated and passionate artist known for her commitment to her art form. She is widely appreciated for her innate sense of rhythm, expressive abhinaya, and powerful stage presence. As a recipient of the prestigious Aryabhata Award for her contributions to the arts, Prathibha holds an "A" grade accreditation from Doordarshan. She has pursued a double post-graduation degree, earning an MFA in Bharatanatyam from Bharathidasan University, Trichy, and an MSc in Human Development from Bangalore University.
Additionally, she is an empaneled artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and SPIC MACAY. From 2002 to 2008, she also served as an "A" grade empaneled artist under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, traveling extensively as part of her artistic endeavors.
Kuchipudi
Dr.Veena Murthy Vijay
Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay stands as a beacon of excellence in the realm of Kuchipudi dance, captivating audiences globally with her unparalleled artistry and profound dedication to cultural preservation.
Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay's unparalleled dedication to Kuchipudi dance, coupled with her innovative vision and global influence, exemplifies the pinnacle of artistic excellence. Her multifaceted contributions, from mesmerizing performances to transformative pedagogy and pioneering initiatives, underscore her enduring legacy in shaping the landscape of Indian classical dance
TRAINING AND EXPERTISE
With rigorous training under revered gurus, she excels in various forms of Kuchipudi, infusing her choreographies with compelling social narratives.
GLOBAL RECOGNITION
Over four decades, Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay has mesmerized audiences across the globe, earning prestigious accolades and titles, including the esteemed Karnataka Kalashree award.
PEDAGOGICAL LEADERSHIP
As the Director of Sri Raja Rajeshwari Kalaniketan in Bangalore, she imparts her expertise to aspiring dancers, nurturing numerous professionals in the field.
INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES
Driven by her vision, she founded 'Samanvay,' a groundbreaking dance company that fosters collaborations with international artists and diverse dance forms.
MULTIFACETED CONTRIBUTIONS
Beyond her exemplary dance career, Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay is a prolific author, educator, and advocate for classical arts, spearheading initiatives like the Bangalore International Arts Festival.
PIONEERING INNOVATIONS
Dr. Veena's pioneering work includes integrating diverse elements such as Tibetan hymns, sign language, and folk forms into classical dance, championing inclusivity and cultural enrichment.
MAGNUM OPUS PRODUCTIONS
Recognized for her groundbreaking contributions, Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay was awarded an honorary
doctorate for her monumental work on restructuring ADAVU Patterns in Kuchipudi, earning widespread acclaim for its authenticity.
GLOBAL INFLUENCE
Her influence extends beyond performance; as a member of esteemed councils and universities, including the World Dance Alliance, she continues to shape the future of Indian classical dance and education, embodying a vision for cultural richness and global prominence.
Shama Krishna
Shama Krishna, hailing from Bangalore, is one of the foremost classical dancers of India. She has been trained in both Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dance styles and has given several performances in India and abroad. She began learning Bharathanatyam at a very young age from Guru Kalamandalam Smt Usha Datar and further received training from many senior Gurus like Guru Smt Narmada. She has been trained in Kuchipudi by Guru Smt Veena Murthy Vijay. She runs her own institution SHRADDHA DANCE CENTER, in Bangalore and has to her credit more than 150 students. She is an empanelled artist with ICCR and has received the national level scholarship from the Human Resource Department, Govt of India. She holds a Masters degree in Bharathanatyam from Sastra University, Tanjore and an A grade artist of Bangalore Doordarshan Kendra. She has been conferred with the Yuva Prathibha Award from BCKA last year.
Shama's quest for knowledge and dedication led her to Guru Smt. Sundari Santhanam, a direct disciple of Dr. Padma Subramanyam for an intense training in Karanas from the Natya Shastra. Shama has evolved as a consummate dancer by enhancing her dancing skills through workshops conducted by esteemed Gurus
Odissi
Madhulita Mohapatra
A recipient of the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi & the Kempegowda Award from Karnataka, Madhulita Mohapatra has carved a niche as one of the leading Odissi exponents in south India. An ‘A’ grade artiste of National Doordarshan (DD National) & an empanelled artiste of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), she has received prestigious awards like IIDF 2017, BCKA Yuva Kala Pratibha, Aarya Award for Women Achievers, Arathi Kala Ratna in Phoenix, Arizona, USA & the GTF Women’s Excellence awards. A disciple of Guru Shri Gangadhar Pradhan, Guru Smt. Aruna Mohanty, Guru Shri Pabitra Kumar Pradhan & Guru Krushnachandra Sahoo, she is admired & applauded by the connoisseurs & critics alike, for her profound artistry and her innate abhinaya quality. Madhulita Mohapatra has performed at several prestigious events across the country and overseas including the Konark Festival, Taj Mahotsav, Mukteshwar Festival, Dhauli Mahotsav, Bengaluru International Arts Festival (BIAF), Rang Tarang National Choreography Festival, Geeva Heritage Festival (USA), International Odissi Dance Festival, Johor Bahru Arts Festival (Malaysia), Magic in Movements (Phoenix, USA), Samagam (at the Indian High Commission in London), among many others. Madhulita Mohapatra is also a guest faculty of Reva University teaching Masters students of Odissi dance. She is selflessly devoted to the promotion & popularisation of Odissi in South India dance through her institution, Nrityantar, by performing, teaching and nurturing finest talents. Madhulita Mohapatra is rightfully applauded for her inventive choreographic skills and her adeptness to keep her audiences engaged with brilliant use of movement & space and interesting themes. Nrityantar Dance Ensemble is one of the most sought after classical dance troupes from Karnataka and is invited by major art festivals.
Kathak
Karnataka Kalasri Nandini Mehta is the daughter of Smt. Manorama Mehta who hails from the Ambale family in Mysore and Sri. K.C. Mehta, senior Advocate of Bangalore. Nandini was born in Mysore and studied in Bangalore. She is an an established danseuse proficient in the fields Kathak and Bharatanatyam, Nandini received her initial training in Bharatanatyam under renowned gurus Smt. Chandrabhaga Devi and Prof. US Krishna Rao and later pursued her training under Guru Smt. Narmada & Guru Smt. Bhanumati. Her passion for dance attracted her to train in Kathak.
She had the good fortune to come under the tutelage of Guru Smt. Maya Rao and Smt. Chitra Venugopal of NATYA Institute of Kathak and Choreography (NIKC) Bangalore. She pursued her training in Kathak from Gurus Kumudini Lakhia, Maulik Shah and Ishira Parikh, Ahmedabad. Nandini holds a degree in Choreography from NIKC. Nandini has also received formal training in Karnatic music from her mother Smt. Manorama Mehta. She is well versed with the various folk forms of India. Dance has taken Nandini to perform extensively in India, USA,Canada, France, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Thailand , Cambodia,Middle-East etc.
She is the recipient of the central government fellowship in Kathak for the years 2000-2002. She has also been a soft skill trainer and a French lecturer in various colleges in Bangalore. She is the co-founder-director of NADAM, an academy of dance and music based in Bangalore. She imparts training in Kathak to aspiring students from India and abroad.
Awards & Titles
1)"GUNA-NIDHI" ,for contribution to Kathak, by Gunagrahi magazine, Bengaluru ,2005
2) SRISHTI AWARD for contributionto dance- 2006
3) KALA-ARATHI RATNA by Arathi School of India Dance, Phoenix, USA- 2006
4) SWAR -KALA GAURAV -2008 - Saraswathi Sangeetha Vidyalaya, Bengaluru
5) "NATYASRI" , Vishakapatnam -2009
6) “NRITYA - NIPUNA” - Karnataka Nrityakala Parishath,2010
7) INTERNATIONAL WOMAN,S DAY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR DANCE by Garden City College,Bengaluru-2011
8) SHAKUNTHALA PRASHASTHI ,Inspiration Award for contribution to Kathak Bengaluru,2015
Keerthi Kumar
Keerthi Kumar's linear grace and dynamic execution of movement along with his well designed performances mark him as a versatile artiste on the Kathak horizon.
Keerthi Kumar has been mentored in Kathak by the internationally renowned Guru Dr. Maya Rao and by the acclaimed danseuse Madhu
Nataraj under whom he also trains in Indian contemporary dance.
Having cleared the Vidwat in Kathak, he has been learning Kathak at Natya Institute of
Kathak and Choreography since 2005 and has
attended master classes by Guru Chitra Venugopal and Smt. Poornima Pande.
He is the Head of Projects and a Principal dancer of the internationally renowned Natya STEM Dance Kampni (NSDK). He tours extensively with the Kampni and has performed across India in prestigious dance festivals like Khajuraho Mahotsav, Kathak Mahotsav, Samakala, Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav, Delhi International Arts Festival, Sangeet Natak Akademi’s choreography festival, Kalanadam, Drishti Dance Festival, Bharatamani National Dance festival, Yagnaraman dance festival, Akruti Kathak Kendra Festival, to name a few. He has toured more than 12 countries and also performed as part of ICCR’s cultural delegations to South Korea, Russia, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. He has a keen interest in Rhythm structures and also does Padhanth and Nattuvangam for several Kathak, Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi.
He co-founded ARTMOS through which he creates original choreographic works for educational institutions and works with artistes to create
specially curated events, fastidious production design and helm them in the capacity of an Artistic and Technical Director.
He is also a sought-after Lighting Designer for dance and theatre productions - working with several reputed choreographers and dance companies across India, Singapore and USA.
Before Kathak entered his life, Keerthi studied Bharatanatyam since the young age of 6 and balances several interests such as his penchant for Sanskrit and is an avid multimedia designer.
He is part of the Kathak faculty at NIKC and also teaches Lighting Design, Arts management and Rhythm structures to the students of the Institute's Diploma program.
Mohiniyattam
Dr. Rekha Raju
Dr. Rekha Raju started learning dance under the guidance of Late Guru Padmini Ramachandran, then she continued under Kalamandalam Usha Datar and Music under Sri Raju Datar, Mridangam under Sri. Jagadeesh Janardhanan, she was guided under the tutelage of Guru Sri Janardhanan when she
completed her PhD in Mohiniattam. She is also a Chartered Accountant and has an MBA degree too. She is now learning under the guidance of Guru Kalamandalam Smt Suganthi. Rekha has received the Ustad Bismillah Kahn Award for overall contribution in the field of art from Central Sangeet Natak Academy for the year 2022
Rekha is also trained in Carnatic Music for over 15 years, Mridangam over 8 years and Nattuvangam for over 15 years. An “ A “Graded artiste at the Doordarshan and an Empaneled Artiste of the ICCR, Rekha has travelled across the world to spread Mohiniattam to countries like the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Large parts of Europe, etc. She is the member of the Expert Panel for Mohiniattam at the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Rekha is also the jury member for Doordarshan and termed as an outstandingartiste by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She’s the artistic director of her academy Nrithya Dhama
Temple of Fine Arts where she trains more than 400 students in Mohiniattam, Bharatanatyam, Mridangam, Yoga and Carnatic vocals. She also engages in reaching out to the underprivileged children at NGO’s like Freedom Foundation, Chrystel House, Mother Teresa Home for Children. She has been
teaching dance for more than 150 students for the past 15 years without expecting any monetary benefits from them, Rekha has voluntarily contributed to help the education of many students as well. - Rekha holds monthly concert for these children to evoke an interest for classical arts amongst children
Rekha has had the privilege of being the first artiste to write compose and choreograph a Christian song in Malayalam for a production called Ekam Sath. She is also brought compositions of Narayan Gurukul into Mohiniyattam. . Rekha has the unique style of presenting ghazals, poems and other works at performances in different states using the local language. Dr. Rekha has performed over 2400 shows and given over 100 lecture demonstrations all over the world. She has received awards like Yuva Kala Bharathi from the government of Tamil Nadu, Kalaygoi
form the Bangalore Iccr , Titles like Swarna Mukhi, Nrithya Nipun, Nrithya Samrat to name a few.
Sri. Ajeesh Menon
Sri. Ajeesh Menon is a Mohiniāṭṭam performer, Carnatic Vocalist, violinist, composer, choreographer based out of Coimbatore. He is a student of Mohiniāṭṭam under Nātyācārya Smt. Vasantha Aravindan, Coimbatore, Vilasini Natyam and advanced Abhinayam under Dr. Anupama Kylash, Hyderabad. Currently, he undergoes advanced training in Mohiniāṭṭam under Dr. Methil Devika, Palakkad and performs regularly as part of her thematic dance recitals. He holds a degree in Master of Fine Arts in Bharatanatyam, from SASTRA University, under the tutelage of Padma Vibhushan Dr. Padma Subramanyam. His artistry reveals his academic inclination towards his works. His musicality is reflected in his dance through nuanced abhinayam and precise rhythmic movements. His choreographies form an amalgamation of Mohiniāṭṭam style of technique and gestures and the ideation technique of Abhinayam, thereby reflecting deeper insights into the literature, unraveling a whole layer of expressions through metaphors and similes.
Notable Works:
As a dancer
1. Performed as part of the thematic dance recitals titled “Kēli”, along with Dr. Methil Devika, at NMACC, Mumbai, The Music Academy, Madras, Maatangi Festival, Kochi
2. Created and performed thematic solo Mohiniāṭṭam recitals, on various themes titled Śiva Vaibhavam, Vande Nārāyaṇam Sadā, Śri Mātre Namah at various Nāṭyānjalis at Salem, Mayavaram, Vazhuvoor, Chinmaya Gardens, Coimbatore, Kalasindhu Academy of Dance, in 2024.
3. Sang and performed simultaneously solo Mohiniāṭṭam pieces, as part of “Gopala Tāpani”, conceptualized by Dr. Anupama Kylash.
4. Completed Mohiniāṭṭam arangetram in September 2022 under the guidance of Kala Acharya Smt Vasantha Aravindan, Director, Koothambalam Institute, Coimbatore.
As a composer
1. Composed music for the dance production in 2023 titled “Gopala Taapani” with key focus on the composers of Northern India, tunesmith for Sringara Annamayya Sankeertanams for Dr. Anupama Kylash for various programmes across the globe.
2. Curated & Orchestrated music for the dance production titled “Lokaveeram” as a full fledged margam on the life history of Lord Ayyappa in Bharatanatyam,“Sai Baba Charitham” on the Sai satcharitham, co-created music and literature for a dance production themed “Padma Patra”.
3. Composed keertanams, varnams for various dancers across South India, in Tamil and Telugu, suiting their necessary themes.
4. Jointly composed music with Sri Aneesh Menon for Pancamurthi Prabandhamu of King Shahaji, 16th Century Tamil Paripaadal.
5. Composed 40 compositions on raganga ragas on various deities predominantly in Sanskrit.