Presenting an array Of Dance Forms from India. Details:
3.00 PM – Bala Bhavam- Bharatha Natyam dance by Akshath Piram

Akshath Piram, a 13-year-old Bharathanatyam dancer, began his training at the age of 4 under the guidance of his mother and Guru, Smt. Indhumadhi Gopalakrishnan, founder and artistic director of Salangai School of Performing Arts. His debut at 2.5 years old as Little Krishna in “KRISHNA – A Divine Musical” marked the beginning of his passion for Bharatanatyam. He completed his arangetram last year in 2023.

Akshath has received numerous prestigious titles and accolades. To name a few,

“Bala Ojaswi,” “Param Nrithya Ilavarasan Puraskar,” “Shreshta Bala Narthaka 2021,” and “Nrithya Param” from All India Dancers Association, “Bala Bharatha Nipuna” from Kalaimamani Guru Smt. Revathy Muthuswamy, “Sarga Prathibha” from SARGAM Sacramento, “BharathaMuni” from HungerRush Carnatic Hungama LLC., “Natya Choodamani” from Sri Raja Rajeshwari Natya Kala Shaala, and “Bala Natya Ratna” from Bharath Kalachar. He was honored to receive the Live4You “Hall of Fame Award” for his excellence in the field of bharathanatyam. He has been appointed as the Junior Ambassador for Griffin College London.

His noteworthy performances include:

  Margazhi Concerts 2022 – Shri Guruvayoorappan Temple, NJ
  Margam Presentation – Bharath Kalachar
  Aadi Dance Festival 2023 – Brahma Gana Sabha
  Malar Cultural Association
  Thejas Bala Natyotsav 2023 – Rasika Ranjani Sabha. Akshath has taken part in dance productions such as “Sanga Tamil” by Guru Madurai R. Muralidharan held at the 35th Tamil Convention FETNA, “Thyagarajar Rasitha Ramar” by Sivanuja Balaji held at Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana, and “Sri Thyagarajar – Ragam Thanam Pallavi” by Spirit of Margazhi Utsav held at Seattle, Washington. He has also won more than 50 dance competitions in the USA, India and Malaysia. He has been learning Mridangam from Shri. Nagai S. Narayanan and Nattuvangam from Smt. Nandini Suresh.

4.15 PM – 7.15 PM – There will be 3 dance forms –
Kuchipudi by Kasi Aysola
Kathak by Deepa Devasena
Mohiniyattam by Ramya Shankaran

Kasi Aysola

Kasi Aysola is a dance artist who is making his mark in the United States. Kasi is a performer, choreographer and nattuvangam artist whose foundational training in Bharata Natyam was under celebrated Guru Viji Prakash and Mythili Prakash. He had the great fortune to train in Kuchipudi under late Guru Vempati Ravi Shankar and Yamini Saripalli.

He co-founded Prakriti Dance, an innovative dance company, in 2014, with the intention to explore the human experience through the idiom of Indian performing traditions. While cultivating and collaborating with artists across America, the company has always focused on empowering artists. He is currently the Artistic Director of Prakriti Dance, developing and touring original works nationally and internationally.

Kasi’s artistic excellence has received recognition and funding from organizations such as the National YoungArts Foundation, Alliance for California Traditional Arts, Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland State Arts Council, Boston Live Arts & the National Academies Keck Futures Initiative.

He has performed in venues such as Kennedy Center (Terrace Theater &
Millennium Stage, Washington DC), Asia Society (NYC), Dance Place (DC), Battery Dance Festival (NYC), Drive East Festival (NYC), The National Folk Festival (ME), Choreographer’s Showcase – Clarice Smith Performing Arts
Center (MD), Embassy of India (DC).

As a proficient Kathak and BharataNrityam dancer, Deepa Devasena has garnered acclaim for her exceptional artistry and dedication to preserving these time-honored traditions. With over a decade of experience as the founder and artistic director of the esteemed Kathak Dance Collective, Deepa has nurtured and continues to train aspiring dancers across 14 cities in USA, imparting the essence of the dance forms through certification, master classes and long-term courses. Along side graduating with a master degree in computers, Deepa’s passion for Indian aesthetics and literature led her to obtain three senior diploma in Kathak, Bharatanatyam and Natyashastra, which serves as a foundational text for Indian performing arts. Deepa Devasena is committed to ongoing research and advanced studies, unearthing the treasures of south Asian cultural heritage and infusing them into her performances and teachings.

Ramya Shankaran, an acclaimed classical dancer, embarked on her dance journey at the age of four, initially training in Bharatanatyam at the prestigious Kalaikaveri School of Fine Arts under the guidance of Madhavi ChandraSekar. Her artistic exploration led her to the enchanting world of Mohiniyattam, a classical dance form known for its graceful movements and expressive storytelling.

Ramya’s Mohiniyattam training began under the esteemed Kalamandalam Guru Kumari Menon, where she immersed herself in the rich traditions and subtle nuances of this elegant dance form. Her dedication and passion for Mohiniyattam were further nurtured under the guidance of Dr. Neena Prasad, a revered exponent of the art. This training has allowed Ramya to master the delicate and lyrical style of Mohiniyattam, adding depth and grace to her performances.

In addition to her practical training, Ramya’s academic accomplishments include diplomas in Mohiniyattam and Yoga, as well as a Master’s degree in Bharatanatyam. Her commitment to excellence has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the titles of “Naadana Kalabhooshan” and “Nrithya Vilasini.” She was also honored with the “Bharat Gaurav Samman 2019” from Sanskriti Bharath, New Delhi, acknowledging her contributions to the classical dance community.

Ramya’s scholarly pursuits are reflected in her publication, “Mapping of Spaces Through Bharatanatyam Sequences” (2019), which has garnered acclaim from notable figures such as Smt. Meera Sreenarayan. This work underscores her deep understanding of dance and its spatial dynamics.

At Adhyaathama, Ramya’s dance studio, she passionately nurtures the next generation of dancers, imparting her extensive knowledge and love for Mohiniyattam. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes not only technical proficiency but also the expressive and emotional aspects of the dance, fostering a holistic approach to learning.

Ramya Shankaran’s journey in Mohiniyattam is a testament to her unwavering dedication and passion for the classical arts. Her contributions as a performer, educator, and scholar continue to inspire and enrich the dance community, ensuring that the exquisite tradition of Mohiniyattam thrives for future generations.