Sarada Kala Nilayam

Sarada Kala NilayamSarada Kala NilayamSarada Kala Nilayam

Sarada Kala Nilayam

Sarada Kala NilayamSarada Kala NilayamSarada Kala Nilayam
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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.  

Grants and Funding

  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.

Awards and Titles

  

  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

Reviews and Critics

· 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


Other SKN Teachers

Jayashree Seshadri

Jayashree Seshadri is a Bharatanatyam and Nattuvangam artist residing in the Bay Area, CA. She performs solo recitals and as part of dance companies in the US on a regular basis. As a performer, she enjoys the challenge and creativity as a solo performer and the camaraderie and choreography in group performances.  Her grip over rhythm can be appreciated from her Nattuvangam, she has accompanied other dancers  on nattuvangam for their performances. She has been learning for 25+ years and has been training with me for the past 11 years. Jayashree is my senior disciple and a teacher at Sarada Kala Nilayam (SKN), and has been teaching the bay area branch since 2021. 


Recent performances

  1. Chakras  - group production, Portland, OR, USA - Aug, 2023
  2. Solo dance performance at Kapaleeshwarar kovil, Mylapore, Chennai, India - July 2023
  3. Solo dance performance at Mahashivaratri Natyarchana, Sanatana Yaksha Ranga Cultural Center, Milpitas, CA, Feb 2023. 
  4. Solo dance performance for Mahashivaratri, Mahakaleshwar Temple, CA in Feb 2023. 
  5. Arudra Natyaanjali Festival- group performance Livermore temple, Jan 2023
  6. Nauka Charitham, The Arangham - group performance, SanFrancisco, CA in Oct 2022. 
  7. Margam Unveiled - Prayukti Arts- Solo performance, Sunnyvale, CA in Oct 2022.
  8. Shanmatham- group performance, Livermore temple, CA, in July 2022
  9. Natya kalavardhini -solo performance, Chembur Fine Arts, Mumbai in March 2022

Collaborators

S.Ravisankar - Mridangam Exponent

 S. Ravisankar is an experienced Mridangam player, a disciple of Sri Sanjeevi Rao (a senior disciple of Sri Palghat Mani Iyer) and Gundupalli Sri Krishnamurthy Rao, Chennai. He has been accompanying Carnatic music concerts, Bharatanatyam recitals, and bhajans for the past 40 years. 


Videos featuring his Mridangam playing

  • https://youtu.be/FwdwdKgLNVE
  • https://youtu.be/DHRVl_H86uY


Reach out to him via email


Kousi - Yoga Instructor

Kousi (Kousalya Ravisankar) is a retired mathematician teacher, now a yoga instructor,  certified by the Yoga Certification Board, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. She practices and teaches the Ashtanga Yoga style from Patanjali Yogpeeth of Haridwar, India.   


She has been practicing for the past 15 years and teaching yoga for the past 6 years. She has students in India and the US and has been collaborating with arts, cultural, and corporate organizations to conduct yoga workshops.  


You can view her yoga demonstration at https://youtu.be/uERpyCELn6o


Reach out to her via email or her Instagram page

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