englishThe Academy
The Academy offers both regular open classes as well as a complete training in Bharatanatyam with all related disciplines, including music and yoga, lessons in theory, teaching techniques and performance skills through practical experience. Those with an aptitude for stage have the opportunity to perform the so-called Arangetram or debut - a presentation of the complete Bharatanatyam-Repertoire, which since 2006 includes the preparation and presentation of an individual choreographic work. Those aspiring certification will have to complete a written exam as well. In the past decades eminent master teachers Savitri Jagannatha Rao, Padmashree Chitra Visweswaran, the late Leela Ramanathan and Padmini Rao have been examiners, with Savitri Jagannatha Rao conducting the first theory exam in 1999. Dancers Padmini Ravi, Alarmel Valli, Dr. Francis Barboza, Dr. Vasundhara Doraiswamy and Sri Mohanan have conducted workshops at the Academy.
The aim of the courses at the Academy is not to just acquire dance 'items', but by taking a movement analytic approach to first and foremost go within and experience the expressive core. Items are taught only in conjunction with such a solid foundation in posturing and movement. Students are this way encouraged to acquire the knowledge contained in Bharatanatyam, thus facilitating them an individual application of this knowledge in their respective professional fields.
