“Some are born teachers and some are made teachers. Dance instructor Girija Chandran was born to teach” said The Hindu.

After basic training under Guru Kalakshetram Bhaskar and Guru Sucheendram M M Pillai in Kerala, Girija later went to Chennai, the capital of Bharatanatyam dance. There she trained with the famous Guru Adyar Lakshmanan, one of Rukminidevi Arundale’s early proteges from Kalakshetra. In addition to Bharatanatyam, Girija also trained under the legendary Kuchipudi Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam.

Smt. Girija returned to Kerala and founded the ‘Regatta Natya Sangeetha Kendra’ in 1972. Over the last four and half decades, Regatta has become a go-to reference point for anything to do with Indian classical dance and music in the capital city of Kerala.

Learn More ..

“Clarity and geometry marked this slim dancer’s movements, while his footwork was powerful” said The Hindu

One of the most distinguished disciples of the renowned Bharatanatyam exponent Guru Shri Deepak Mazumdar, he took his initial training from Kalanjali under Kumari Vasantha.

Termed as an effortless dancer with precise movements Pavitra is appreciated for his pure dance and sensitive Abhinaya by critics, connoisseurs and peers. An ICCR em-panelled artist and ‘A Grade’ artist of Doordarshan, Pavitra is an extremely vibrant and graceful performer. It is a treat to watch him live on stage

Learn More ..

A perfect example of a successful Acharya, Sheela Unnikrishnan is one who makes learning Bharathanatyam interesting and blissful.

An untiring hard worker, talented choreographer, dedicated teacher and energetic performer, Sheela adapts to all her aforesaid roles naturally and excels in each of them. Having done her research on the topic 'Dance Aspects in Sitrilakkiyam', she was conferred Doctorate by Tamizh University, Tanjavur, in 2017.

Sheela stands as a unique role model for all her students, who are now making a mark in national and international arenas. Four of her students have been honored with the prestigious 'Balshree' award and Sheela has been accredited for many of her group thematic presentations and dance drama productions by critics and connoisseurs alike.

Learn More ..

Smitha is a classical dancer, teacher and choreographer based in Chennai. She started learning dance at a young age in her native place, Thiruvanathapuram. Sha has undergone training in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali and Ottanthullal under eminent Gurus like Master G. Sanil Kumar and Master Nelliyodu Vasudeva Namboothiri. Her passion of dance brought her to the the temple of dance, Kalashetra in Chennai.

She is a dance teacher at Chennai Harishree Vidyalayam for last 12 years. Apart from this she has running her own dance class for more than 10 years.

Pooja Shanthosh, a trained Bharatanatyam artist in Vazhuvoor Bani began her carrier as a child under the guidance of Smt Yogeshwari.S (disciple of Guru Smt. K.J. Sarasa) and now continues to learn and explore the art form under the world renowned performer, Guru. Smt. Priyadarshini Govind and Sri. Lokesh Raj. Over the years with intense training, inherent commitment and a rigorous discipline, she has evolved as a performing artiste, presenting across cultural organizations in India.

As a passionate teacher Pooja Shanthosh runs her Dance School “Anantaah, School of Bharatanatyam” at Anna Nagar since 2013 which provides training in Bharatanatyam, theory and talam.

A dedicated artist, teacher, and choreographer, blessed with inborn as well as inherited talents and with multifaceted capabilities nurtured under the stalwarts of classical dance.  She was under the tutelage of Smt Kalamandalam Malathi (Director-Barada Dance and Music Accademi-U.A.E), Smt Kalamandalam RangaNayaki and Smt Kalamandalam HusnaBhanu since 1992.

She has represented her school and college at various levels and won the title of "Kalathilakam’ by achieving first prizes in Bharathnatyam, Kuchippudi, and Mohiniyattom.

A British Keralite, Liya has settled in the south-west of London and has started teaching Bharathnatyam in the UK since 2008. She has been on the judgement panel of ‘Asianet Europe Talent Show" and national level competitions held during the period 2008 to 2018 for Bharathnatyam in the United Kingdom.  Affiliated member of prestigious organisation – Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing(ISTD) for South Asian Dance Faculty in London since 2019.

Junior Category

Senior Category

Adult Category