About
Nayana Srinivasamurthy
Chief Instructor and Founder of Natesha Nrithyalaya
A professional Psychologist, turned to a performer and choreographer by passion coupled with years of experience as a dancer and classical dance trainer since 2007. Born and raised in Bangalore, Karnataka, and began her formal Bharathanatyam training at the age of six, under Guru Veeraraju and Shivabhagya – the former lectures of Kalakshetra foundation.
While on pursuit of her Master’s in Clinical Psychology, Nayana worked with neuro-typical and differently abled children. While working with them, she discovered that dance is not just a compilation of graceful movements but it also is an art form involving therapeutic movements which develop fine motar, gross motar, cognitive skills and emotional intelligence and much more.
With this discovery she set out to build the classical dance academy Natesha Nrithyalaya. The academy stands as a monument of her vision which aimed at providing a solution to the psychological wellbeing of society and also to preserve the cultural art form of Bharathanatyam
She is the curator of the prestigious “Rasaanubhava Dance Festival”, a multidisciplinary celebration of dance that showcases performances by artists from diverse classical forms.
She is currently continuing her artistic journey under the guidance of Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee and Nrithya Kalanidhi, Dr. Neena Prasad.
She says
What she says about her career?
I started teaching Bharatanatyam in my college while I was still a student there, an experience that was both humbling and empowering, and one that truly marked the beginning of my journey as a dancer and teacher.
I find teaching far more exciting than performing on stage. It gives me immense pleasure to nurture and develop new young talents for the future.
“Art has no exchange value, it is something above and beyond money and can only be judged on its experiential value. Art forms are a part of our culture, it is our shared socio-cultural capital and such talents should be acknowledged and shaped. By placing huge importance on such art forms, people discover hidden skills and stay connected with Indian classical arts. And this is the goal of Natasha Nrithyalaya”. She says
Certification
We offer certification courses in collaboration with esteemed institutions, including:
Dr. Gangubhai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, Mysore.
Bridge Academy (affiliated with Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli).
Bangiya Sangeet Parishad (affiliated with Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata).
Meet The Team
Couple of professionals, joined together to deliver the best
Nayana Srinivasamurthy
Nayana is a passionate performer and choreographer who transitioned from a career in psychology to Bharatanatyam. Trained since age six under esteemed gurus in Bangalore, she has graced stages across India, showcasing a unique blend of traditional and innovative choreography.
As the founder of Natesha Nrithyalaya School of Classical Dance, Nayana emphasizes a holistic understanding of Bharatanatyam, encouraging students to explore its spiritual and historical contexts. Known for her remarkable footwork and emotive expression, she not only preserves this ancient art form but also reinterprets it for contemporary audiences worldwide.
Chaithra Umesh
Chaithra brings over 7 years of extensive teaching and choreography experience to Natesha Nrityalaya. Her journey began at the age of six, training under Guru Deepa Bhat in the Kalakshetra style, and later refining her craft under Guru Shyampraksh in the Tanjavur style. A Senior Grade artist certified by KSEAB, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Bharatanatyam from Bangalore University.
With experience on over 100 stages, Chaithra offers invaluable insights to the students of Natesha Nrityalaya. Some of her prominent performances include prestigious venues such as the Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur, Delhi Karnataka Sangha, Sringeri Sri Sharadamba Temple, Chandana TV, and Tirupati TTD, among many others.
Kamakshi G
A second-generation artist, Smt. Kamakshi began her musical journey at the age of 3 under the guidance of her mother, Smt. Sivashri. She further honed her skills with renowned Gurus Ganesan, Hari Mohan, and Soumya in Pudukkottai. She holds a double Master's degree, including a Master’s in Carnatic Music from Dr. N. Saradha, HOD of Bridge Academy College of Fine Arts in Chennai.
With over 12 years of teaching experience, Smt. Kamakshi brings her rich expertise to Natesha Nrityalaya. Her extensive concert experience spans temples, Sabhas, and prestigious music events. Some of her notable performances include Thyagarajar Aaradhana in Thanjavur, Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaaru, Naradha Gana Sabha in Chennai, and Kalai Sangamam (Thirukkuralin Nadham) in Malaysia. She was also honored with the title "KALAI ILAVAL" by the Ariyanachi Amman Temple.
Malathi N
Malathi brings over 11 years of comprehensive experience in school administration to Natesha Nrityalaya. She began her professional career as a Secretarial Assistant at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and has held various administrative roles across multiple organizations. Prior to joining Natesha Nrityalaya, she was employed at Eben-Ezer Public School.
In her current role as Office In-Charge, Malathi oversees all aspects of office administration, ensuring smooth operations at Natesha Nrityalaya. Her multilingual skills (fluent in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and English) make her an invaluable asset, ensuring accessibility and effective communication within the diverse community.
Sangavi Sivasankar
Sangavi manages the costumes and accessories unit (Natyamabara Costumes) at Natesha Nrityalaya, bringing years of experience in retail management. With a deep passion for classical dance and a keen eye for design, she has developed an exceptional understanding of the art form, which reflects in her carefully curated inventory of costumes. Her expertise allows her to create a vibrant collection that beautifully complements the classical dance performances at Natesha Nrityalaya.
Our Careers
Join our team
We are always open to young and creative artists to join our team.
Are you an enthusiastic Bharathanatyam artist? And looking for an exciting teaching career in Bharathanatyam? Are you open to explore new ideas and implementation to the artform?
Do you feel thrilled in teaching the young buds? If “Yes”, Join us today! We are happy to dance together.
Reach us today
Contact us, we will help you to nurture your skills
Explore our Costume Library
We comes up wth extensive collection of premium Bharathanatyam costumes, available for both RENT or BUY.