About the Teacher

Sweta Ravisankar is founder-Director of Sarada Kala Nilayam. She is a teacher, performer, choreographer and a nattuvangam artist. She has students for Bharatanatyam and Nattuvangam in San Jose, CA and Portland, OR in the USA. Sweta grew under the tutelage of Guru Smt Padmini Radhakrishnan of Mumbai, India since 1993. Later, she pursued the passion under Guru Smt Roja Kannan, Chennai, India. She holds a master’s degree (MFA) in Bharatanatyam. Sweta travels extensively across the US and India to perform as a solo artist, nattuvangam artiste and a freelance dancer with prestigious companies. Apart from dance, Sweta is research scientist at Oregon health and Science University, OR, USA.

Recognition has come in the form of Awards, Scholarships, Prizes and Titles for Sweta apart from praise from critics and the press. Legends like Kalaimamani K.J. Sarasa, Padmashri Lalgudi Jayaraman and Dr. M Balamuralikrishna have witnessed her programs in Chennai and blessed her. Fortunate enough to perform before Pujya Guru Swami Thejomayanandaji of Chinmaya Mission and be blessed by him.  

1. HACC Performance Series Grant for a Solo Presentation by Sweta Ravisankar on March 1st, 2024. 
2. HACC Project Grant 2023-2024. 
3. RACC Arts 3C Grant 2023-2024.
4. Ten Tiny Dances, city of Beaverton 2023, 2022.
5. RACC Make Build Learn Grant 2021: For making performance-quality music tracks.
6. RACC Make Build Learn Grant 2022: For building a dance studio in Beaverton, OR that will also be rented out in the community once completed.
7. Ten Tiny Community Healing Dances for 2020 by the city of Portland.

1. “Resident Fellow” at New Expressive Works , Portland, OR, May’19
2. "Best dancer award" from Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, Chennai , India - March'13 
3. "Senior Scholarship from the Ministry of Culture", Govt of India for Bharatanatayam - . 
4. "Yuva Kala Vipanchee" by Vipanchee, Chennai at the hands of Dr. M Balamurali Krishna for her outstanding and excellent service in the propagation of Indian Classical Dance: 2008 
5. "Natya Kala Bhushanam" by Natyanjali Trust., Chennai: 2003 
6. "Singar Mani" by Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai in recognition of her meritorious performance in the 44th Kal Ke Kalakar Sangeeth Sammelan: 2005 
7. "Nritya Shivali" by Shivali Cultural society of India, Mumbai: 2003 
8. "Natya Yuva Mani” by Gana Mukundhapriya 
9. Enrolled in the South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur. 
10. Selected by Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram under the scheme of Promotion of Young Talented Artists in Bharata Natyam and performed in four different organizations : April - Jun 2008 
11. "Youth Excellence Award” for her achievements in cultural field in the Young Ambassador of the 21st century conducted by the Lions Club International District 323 A2: 2003

· Oregon arts watch - August 2022

"The piece evolved as slow-simmer, paced at just the right speed for the audience to dive in alongside the dancing pair as they filled the room with currents of rhythm and stage presence to match the movement’s energy.....There was no denying that what was presented at Union PDX was a labor of love and a vibrant homage to Indian culture. " - By Elizabeth Whelan

https://www.orartswatch.org/review-bringing-dance-to-the-table-the-potluck-of-union-pdxs-festival22/

· Oregon arts watch - August 2017

Classical Indian dance on Eclipse Weekend -

"If ever you needed inspiration to follow your various passions in life, Ravisankar is it!" -By Jamuna Chiarini -  http://www.orartswatch.org/dancewatch-weekly-classical-indian-dance-on-eclipse-weekend/Narthaki.com 

· Thendral Magazine, USA – August 2016

http://tamilonline.com/thendral/article.aspx?aid=11090- By Meenakshi Natarajan

· 2017 Feb - Yadhava Madhava by Janaki Kolady 

The first of four featured presentations was next, with an exquisite Bharatanatyam performance by Ms. Swetha Ravishankar from Portland, Oregon. With grace and expertise, she explored the romantic love of mother Parvathi for Lord Siva through Shir Dandayudapani Pillai’s composition and Theruvil Vaarano - http://nrinews24x7.com/magnificent-maha-sivarathri-cultural-celebrations-at-balaji-temple Mar 5, 2016 

. Sweta’s style of presentation is crisp and clean, facial expressions are focused and unhurried; no movement was compromised throughout the hour long performance. Also noteworthy were the mixed teeramanums, many of them beginning mid-thalam-- By Priya Das -- Dec 24th 2015 –www.priyafeatures.com--review of the performance - Bharati Tamil sangam's Bharathiar Day Celebration , CA, USA, on Dec 20th 

· Sweta’s dancing was flawless, taking the audience through the panchabhuta; the depiction of water and wind was especially memorable. Narthaki.com reviews by Priya Das, February 2015

· She held striking poses and true to the essence of Divine Energy executed the piece with strong and fast paced footwork. Narthaki.com reviews- February 14th 2013 By Jyotsna Vaideeswaran 

· Sweta Ravisankar is blessed with a naturally expressive face and eyes which is an added strength for her. Sweta dances with a lot of dedication and enthusiasm. Dancing with a lot of energy and without any lag is a welcome feature. Dinamalar - Kalai Malar -18 Feb 2010 By Malavika 

· Emotions flitted across Sweta Ravisankar’s face with incredible ease and quickness. She melted with devotion while presenting “Enna Solli” by Ambujam Krishna. Sweta potrayed Dusshadhana’s atrocious arrogance and Draupadi’s helpless agony with authenticity. The Hindu, Friday Review Section, Aug 28, 2009 (Coimbatore) -- BY B.RAMADEVI 

· Arjuna’s expression of incredible ecstasy while he saw the Viswaroopa of Krishna conveyed what could not be shown on the stage. - BY B.Ramadevi (Sweta Ravisankar took the role of Arjuna in the Ballet “Sharanagatham Krishna”presented for Pollachi Tamil Isai Sangam on Sat 26th July 2008.) The Hindu, Friday Review Section, Aug 22, 2008 (Coimbatore) http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/08/28/stories/2009082850600300.htm--(see with heading with incredible ease 

· The body which can adhere to all movements, the big eyes which can depict navarasas, the legs jumping without missing the strict laya beats made the audience wonder whether she is a boneless creeper. Her fifteen years of hard work was portrayed in each abinaya and movement. She was a colourful peacock in full dance dress, on the stage. --- By G MEENAKSHI, Dinamani, 22nd June 2008 http://www.dinamani.com/sunday/sundayitems.asp?ID=DS620080619234803&Title=Sunday+%2D+Youth&lTitle=C%5B%FBU+TdLm 

· Petite Sweta ravisankar scored both in abhinaya and footwork Her slim figure enabled her to twist and turn with ease bringing out the essence of Sringara. Delightful was Sweta’s touching rendering of “Bhavayami Gopala Balam” in Yaman Kalyan and Kanta chapu talam. In the Kalinganardanam episode agile body moments as a snake added depth to the scene. - By LALITHASAI The Hindu, Friday Review Section, 1st Feb 2008 http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/02/01/stories/2008020151300400.htm 

 Eenadu(Telugu daily) 24th Dec 2007 ---- By Shastry 

· Mulund / Powai Plus -Times of India - 23rd April 2006 Given her dedication and devotion to dance, this performer is sure to reach the pinnacle of success in her chosen vocation. -- By Sujatha Subraman 

· Thane Plus, Times of India - April 23rd 2003 Pure Nrithya , graceful footwork, beautiful gestures and eye movements showed her proficeiency in the art of dance. She has a good command over Laya and Tal.--- By Asha Mandpe 

· Apoorva Raagam, Feb 2003 Her ability to cover the entire stage occupies our thought.  Jathis, Adavus, abhinaya, sancharibhava and kalaprmanam were of high quality... By Jayalakshmi Sadagopan 

· The New Indian Express, Sunday June 16th 2002 She brought out the spiritual aspect in a subdued manner . Showed remarkable grip over laya... By Ganpathi Ramakrishnan