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Kshetra Nrityanjali @ Sarovar
We are showcasing the dance talent with a unique program dubbed "Kshetra
Nrityanjali" -- a Dance Drama where several dance schools are coming
together to give a breathtaking performance.
The following dance schools are diligently working together to showcase this
true manifestation of congruence of talents!
Smt. Sudha Chandrasekhar: Nritya Sudha's Hindu Temple Rhythms
Smt. Devika Raghavan: Kalarasana Dance Academy
Smt. Roopa Shyamasundar: NRITYOLLASA CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Smt. Sandhya Athmakuri: "NATYA DHARMI," Foundation for Performing Arts.
Smt. Lalitha Ravi: School of World Music & Dance
Smt. Radhika Acharya: Nupur Academy of Dance
Smt. Shaila Vijay
About our Dance Teachers:
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Sudha Chandra Sekhar
'Natya Veda Bharati' Sudha Chandra Sekhar is Michigan's foremost senior
exponent on the Classical Dance Arts of India and a former Government of
India Scholarship Winner (chosen by Smt. Rukmini Arundale and E. Krishna
Iyer). She has performed for an international audience of dignitaries
and celebrities over her decades as an artist, including India's First
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. For the past 44 years she has wholly
dedicated herself to the preservation and promotion of the dance arts as
taught to her by the Gurus of Sri Rajarajeshwari Bharata Natya
Kalamandir of Mumbai. Sudha has presented 75 students in their Bharata
Natyam Arangetrams to date. Her academy 'Nritya Sudha's Hindu Temple
Rhythms' boasts over 300 students in the U.S. and Canada, and her
award-winning performance troupe 'The Vidyanjali Dancers' have been
featured in numerous publications, television specials and even in the
Michigan Opera Theatre's 2002 production of the French Opera 'Lakme' --
trained and joined by Sudha herself. Among her many
esteemed titles and awards are the Michigan Dance Council's Lifetime
Achievement Award (2004), and most recently the Cleveland Thyagaraja
Aradhana's 'Nritya Seva Mani Award' (2010). |
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Devika Raghavan
Devika Raghavan is a disciple of Guru Madurai T.G. Jayaraman, and a
disciple of Guru Smt. R.Rhadha. She is the director of Kalarasana Dance
Academy, in Troy, Michigan. Devika has been a performing artist,
teacher, and choreographer of Bharathanatyam, with numerous performances
to her credit, in India and the U.S.A. She holds a Masters Degree in
Elementary Teaching, and is an educator with the Southfield Public
Schools in Michigan. Devika takes pleasure and pride in teaching
classical Indian dance, and inculcating an appreciation for our rich
cultural heritage. |
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Roopa Shyamasundara
Roopa started learning Bharatanatyam under the able guidance of Smt
Radha Sridhar. She completed her arangetram in 1979. Roopa received a
prestigious dance scholarship from the Government of India and completed
her proficiency exam (Master of Arts) with distinction. She has also
acquired advanced training under the Dhananjayans, Usha Datar, noted
Kathak exponent Smt Maya Rao, and renowned abhinaya exponent Smt
Kalanidhi Narayanan.
Roopa was also featured in the Michigan Emmy Award-Winning documentary
Our Story of India, produced in 2008. She has also been recognized as a
Master Artist by the Michigan State University Museum.
Roopa is currently training students in Bharatanatyam at her dance
institution Nrityollasa Center for Performing Arts, from which nineteen
students have successfully graduated in the traditional style.
Nrityollasa has branches in Ann Arbor, West Bloomfield, Novi as well as
in Rochester Hills, where it is based. |
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Sandhya Sree Athmakuri
An award-winning performer, choreographer and teacher, Ms. Sandhya
Sree Athmakuri, is an exponent of the two leading dance traditions,
Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi, having trained, in all authenticity, under
eminent Gurus in India, primarily, Guru,‘Kalaimamani,’ Swamimalai
Rajarathnam Pillai and ‘Padmabhushan,’ Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam.
A ‘Natya Visharada’ & ‘Singaramani’ awardee, Smt. Sandhya Sree is the
recipient of the National scholarship from the Govt. of India for
Kuchipudi and also a National Award winner for choreography in Bharata
Natyam.
Sandhya has performed extensively, not only in India, but
internationally as well, in Germany, the Netherlands, the United States
of America and Canada.
SandhyaSree is the founder and director of, “Natya Dharmi” foundation
for performing arts and through her school, Sandhya has to her credit a
number of productions that have won acclaim from discerning critics.
Academically, SandhyaSree holds a Baccalaureate degree in Law, from
India and has had significant training and background in Carnatic
Classical music with her mother, guide and mentor, Smt. Indira Devi. |
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Lalitha Ravi
Lalitha Ravi is an acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher and an
upcoming Carnatic musician. She began learning dance under Guru Shri.
Ramaswamy Bagavathar (Nrityasindhu, Mumbai). She has also had advanced
training under Smt. Devika Raghavan and Smt. Sudha Chandrasekhar and she
currently continues her learning from Smt. Amudha Dandapani (Bharathalayam,
Coimbatore). She has toured many countries and won accolades in India,
Germany, Dubai and in the U.S for her performances in both music and dance.
As one of the directors of School of World Music & Dance and as a teacher
for Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam, she has spear-headed the establishment
of the organization in MI, USA, along with her guru Vidwan Shri
K.N.Shashikiran. As an entrepreneur Lalitha holds as Masters degree in
Nutrition and is a practicing dietitian. |
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Radhika Acharya
Radhika Acharya is the creative Director of the Nupur Academy of Dance
based in Troy, MI. Her intial training was under Guru M.N. Suvarna of
Arunodaya Kala Niketan, Mumbai. She continued training under Pt. V J Pillai
(Thanjavur Nrithyashala, Mumbai) a principal disciple of the legendary Guru
Acharya Parvathi Kumar. Radhika Acharya has represented India as part of
ASKARA, an Indian cultural organization, in Folk dance festivals held in
France, UK and the US. As a teacher, Mrs. Acharya is deeply committed to the
teaching of Bharatanatyam in the traditional Thanjavur style. A
choreographer par excellence she has boldly experimented with fusion styles
and pushed the boundaries of traditional Bharatanatyam both with respect to
music and themes to rave reviews. She has many original, creative full
length productions and dance pieces to her credit. “Upaasana”(2003),
“Paanchajanyam”(2005), “Amar Nrithya Katha”(2007), “Rudra”(2009),
“PanchaBhootham”(2009). |
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Shaila Vijay
Shaila Vijay is a purist in art form of Bharatnatyam. She started
dancing at a very young age and learned from the prestigious school of
RajaRajeshwari Kala Mandir under the tutelage of Guru Nagarajan. She ran
a dance school in India. Shaila has performed for various associations,
NGO’s and in fund raising events for educational institutions. She has
immense admiration for Sudha aunty and has performed in many shows with
her including performance at Fox Theatre in a French Opera. She
continued her academic pursuit in dance and graduated with a degree in
Bharatnatyam from Nalanda Nritya Mahavidyalaya affiliated to Bombay
University. She is a knowledge based engineer by profession and works
for a major OEM. |
More to come...
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