Our Dancers
Ramya Raghavan
Teacher, Choreographer, & Dancer
Ramya began training in Bharatha Natya under the tutelage of 'Nrithyarani ' Lata Kalpalatha and Sarasi Raj of PEALI Arpana Academy of Dance, Montreal, Canada. After completing her Arangetram in 1986, she underwent further training in Bharatha Natya with Sri. T.S. Bhatt of Menaka Nrithya Shala, Bengaluru, India and also took lessons in Kuchipudi with Smt. Sunanda Devi of Chaya Nrithya Niketan, Bengaluru, India. To further her experience in the art of 'Abhinaya ' (expressive dance), she had lessons with Priyadarshini Govind, Chennai, India and Padmini Rao, Bengaluru, India. She pursued learning the Art of Nattuvangam from Kalaimamani Guru Madurai R. Muralidharan and took further intensive courses in understanding the history of Bharatha Natyam and the Indian classical arts.
Ramya has performed extensively in Canada, the United States, India, the United Kingdom and Poland in both live and televised shows. Through her dance, she has helped raise money for temples in India and for medical organizations and social causes in Canada. She continues to actively pursue the art of dance as a performer and choreographer and is looking for ways to incorporate social issues relevant to society today into her dance choreography. In 2021, drawing from her expertise as a cardiologist, Ramya began Bharatha Natyam inspired fitness classes aimed at helping people of all ages and all dance backgrounds improve their fitness.
Nirosha Suthesan
Teacher, Choreographer, & Dancer
Nirosha Suthesan embarked on her Dance Journey at the age of 5. Initially, she became a part of the Yarl Kalabaranam Dance School in Jaffna Sri Lanka under the guidance of the talented sisters, Smt Shanthini Sivanesan and Smt Kumuthini Srikanthan. Notably, their father was the renowned dance teacher Kalaichelvan Erampu Suppiah. Unfortunately, due to the tense situation in Jaffna, Nirosha and her family were compelled to relocate to another province. Her training persisted as she continued her instruction under the tutelage of dance teachers Smt Vyjayanthimala Selvaratnam and Smt Thayananthi Vimalachandran. In 2005, She proudly showcased her skills during her Arangetra performance in Sri Lanka. In 2007 Nirosha achieved distinction in the Grade level examination held by North Ceylon Music Academy and was awarded the title of “Bharatha Kala Viththakar”. In 2009, she earned her Bachelor of Dance from Bharadhidasan University, India garnering the esteemed title “Kavin Kalaiyiyal Ilayar” and she underwent specialized training under the guidance of the esteemed “Natiyacharya” Mr & Mrs. V. P Thananjayan in India. In pursuit of further excellence, Nirosha pursued postgraduate studies in Dancing at Annamalai University under the guidance of Dr. Uma Anand and obtained the title “Muthukalaimaani” in 2019. Additionally, Nirosha has dedicated herself to refining her skills through Natuvaangam classes conducted by the accomplished Kalaimaamani Madhurai R. Muralidharan. Her commitment to her craft led her to partake in the Adaiyar K. Lakshman’s 50th Golden Jubilee Program in India with her students in 2019. The year 2021 witnessed Nirosha’s participation in the “Guinness World Records” program alongside her students, an event orchestrated by Kalaimaamani Madhurai R. Muralidharan. Subsequently, in 2022, she and her students showcased their talents in the Sanga Thamil Natya Nadagam during the FETNA, USA and repeating their success the following year in Toronto.
Vaishnavi Sai Sritharan
Dancer, Choreographer, & Web Development
Vaishnavi has been learning Bharathanatyam at the age of five from an Indian artist, Dr. Alakanada before joining Shanthanayaki Nattiyakkovil under the tutelage of Smt. Poomgulali Elengkumaran and completed her Arangetram in 2019. Vaishnavi has continued learning for 21 years and counting. She continued her learning through The Kalakshetra Foundation until early 2023. Vaishnavi has been performing with Ramya Raghavan for the past 4 years. Vaishnavi graduated from Centennial College with an Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Care in 2024 and is a CYC.
Radha Jetty
Dancer
Drawn by a real passion for dance, Dr. Radha Jetty evolves as a dancer, instructor, choreographer and community artiste. She owes her strong foundation to her guru of over 25 years, Smt. Vasantha Krishnan, and the Kalakshetra masters in Chennai, India. While steeped in tradition and ever-present in her global context, Dr. Radha’s work is constantly influenced by her life experiences through her traditional and contemporary dance endeavours. Using her choreographies as a voice for social change, she has brought awareness to issues such as child soldiers in A Mother’s Plea.
A regular performer in Ottawa and Montreal’s South Asian arts community, Dr. Radha has been invited to perform at major cultural festivals, theatres, and community celebrations. Recent appearances include Uttar (2025) and Yuj – Union (2024) with Jeevan Jyothi Productions, a featured solo performance at the National Arts Centre as a prelude to Anoushka Shankar’s Celebrating Shakti (2023), and performances at Parliament Hill, the Festival of India, Natyanjali Montreal, and numerous productions showcasing Bharatanatyam as both a classical art form and a medium for storytelling, dialogue, and connection.
Dr. Radha’s passion pervades her lifework as a pediatrician. As a pediatrician at CHEO, a researcher at the CHEO Research Institute, an Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa, and a Medical Advisor for Indigenous Services at the Government of Canada, she strives to improve the health of all children with a focus on Indigenous children in Canada and globally. As Nunavut’s first full-time pediatrician, she called the Canadian Arctic home for many years. She advocates for Indigenous children’s rights alongside Indigenous organizations provincially, nationally, and internationally, including before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. She strives to advance health equity among Indigenous children at home in Ottawa, throughout Canada, and globally. Dr. Radha was recognized as a CBC Trailblazer in 2020 for the positive impact of her work.
Her truest passion is now being a mother to her daughter, Jaya.
Calpanaa Jegatheeswaran
Dancer
Calpanaa Jegatheeswaran has been learning Bharathanatyam since the age of four. She is currently pursuing her training under the guidance of Smt. Poomgulali Elengkumaran. Alongside her dance practice, she is trained in playing the veena and in Carnatic music. Academically, she holds an HBSc in Neuroscience and Psychology and an MA in Developmental Psychology and Education from the University of Toronto. Currently, she is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Developmental Psychology and Education program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Her research focuses on the impact of environmental risk factors and parenting on the socio-emotional and cognitive development of low-income children during their formative years. Recently, she has also worked in the equity, diversity, and inclusion space, examining how these factors shape the experiences of children and their families within social institutions, particularly in the home and school. Calpanaa remains deeply committed to her passion for Bharathanatyam and looks forward to continuing her journey in this ancient art form.
Vidyashree Kumara Gowda
Dancer
Vidya is a passionate dancer, biotech engineer and a mother of two. She started her dance journey at the age of 10 under the guidance of her guru Shri.Jilani Basha in Ballari, Karnataka. She has completed junior and senior exams in Bharatanatyam and junior in Kuchipudi conducted by the Karnataka school examination and assessment board. She has also learnt Carnatic music. She has participated in various stage performances, dance reality shows, singing in concerts, and dance dramas across India and Canada. Vidya is currently working as a Clinical Data Manager at Alimentiv and continues her dance journey alongside.
Laya Sri Devan
Dancer
Laya is a twelve year old competitive acro artist. Se has been learning and performing acro, jazz, lyrical and ballet with the Northern Lights Dance Studio. She has won numerous awards, including placing first in the Luv2Dance National Competition in Orlando, Florida in 2024 and the Glow National Competition in Niagara Falls in 2005. She performed on the Disney Springs stage in July 2024 as part of the Elite National Team. She has been learning Bharatha Natyam for eight years under the guidance of her mother, Ramya Raghavan, and also learns Carnatic music from Shree Coorg of Gana Sudha School of Music.
Sahana Suthesan
Dancer
Sahana Suthesan has completed Grade 8 with Honors. Alongside her academic achievements, she received the Social Justice Trustee Award from her school.She began her dance journey at the age of four under the guidance of her mother, Nirosha. Her dedication and talent have enabled her to successfully complete the Grade 5 Dance Examinations through Annamalai University, India.
She has been part of several notable dance productions, including a performance at Adaiyar K. Lakshman's 50th Golden Jubilee Program in India at the age of seven. She has also participated in the ENTWINED Book of World Records event and Madhurai R. Muralidharan's Sanga Tamil Dance Production in Toronto. In addition, Sahana has performed at numerous temples and other special events.
Beyond her passion for dance, Sahana enjoys swimming and participating in track and field.
Swati Chandrashekar
Dancer
Swathi, a computer engineer and mother, is a passionate classical dancer who began her Bharatanatyam journey at the age of four. After an early introduction to the art form, she resumed her training with renewed dedication and has been learning for the past ten years under the guidance of Guru Smt. Bhavani Vallabh from Vyuha Academy. She has successfully completed both her Junior and Senior Bharatanatyam examinations conducted by the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board. Expanding her artistic horizons, Swathi is also training in Kathak under Guru Sudeepta from Vyuha academy Bangalore and Guru Shilpa Save from Taal Academy since 4 years. In addition, she has completed her Junior level in Carnatic music, further enriching her understanding of rhythm and expression. Over the years, she has performed on numerous stages, participated in dance reality shows, and taken part in singing concerts across India and Canada. Her versatility, commitment, and love for the classical arts continue to inspire her journey. Swathi remains wholeheartedly committed to her journey in Bharatanatyam and Kathak, continually striving to grow as an artist and share the beauty of classical dance with wider audiences.
Charvi Chandan
Dancer
Charvi Chandan is a 6-year-old budding artist and a Senior Kindergarten student at Meadowvale Public School in Mississauga, Ontario.
From a very young age,
Charvi has shown a deep love for Indian classical arts. She has been training in Bharatanatyam for the past year under the guidance of Guru Smt. Prabha Raghavan, where she continues to develop her foundation in this beautiful classical dance form with dedication and enthusiasm. Despite her young age, Charvi has already performed in several cultural and community events, delighting audiences with her confidence, grace, and expressive stage presence.
In addition to dance, Charvi is also learning Carnatic vocal music under the guidance of Guru Smt. Raksha Rao, nurturing her appreciation for the rich traditions of Indian classical music. Her passion for both dance and music reflects her eagerness to learn and grow as a young artist.
Beyond the performing arts, Charvi is a kind, compassionate, and cheerful child who enjoys making friends and spreading happiness wherever she goes. She approaches every learning opportunity with curiosity, discipline, and a bright smile. With the loving support of her family and the guidance of her respected gurus, Charvi looks forward to continuing her artistic journey and sharing the joy of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music with others.
Jaya Janaki Jetty
Dancer
At just five years old, Jaya brings boundless energy, curiosity, and joy to everything she does.
Proud of her heritage, Jaya loves learning about and celebrating her cultural roots and proudly wears a bottu on her forehead every day as an expression of her identity. A natural storyteller and performer, she can often be found singing songs she has invented herself, chatting with anyone who will listen, and learning languages, including Telugu and French. Whether preparing for community cultural performances, biking to school, skiing, or running through the park, she approaches life with enthusiasm and confidence.
Bold, strong-willed, and fiercely independent, Jaya is always eager to help others and embraces every new endeavour with a smile. She treasures time spent with her family, especially sleepovers with her grandparents and adventures with her Amma. In many ways, she is truly her mother's daughter.
Oviya Devan
Performer
Oviya is a 19 year old student attending Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School as a grade 12 student. Born with complex special needs, she strives to communicate using alternative communication methods and is the spokesperson for the Hummingbird, a specialized device that transforms a person’s vocalizations into computer accessible switch outputs. She has travelled extensively pursuing intensive physiotherapy and is passionate about music and spending time with her family and friends.
Musicians
Madurai R. Muralidharan
Composer/choreographer
Shri R Muralidaran, a prolific Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and composer, is known for his modern compositions for Bharatanatyam dancers and elaborate musical productions.
He founded Nrithyakshethra Dance Academy in Chennai in 1978 and has trained over 2500 dancers worldwide. Muralidaran has received numerous accolades, including the Kalaimamani Award from the Tamil Nadu state government in 2019.
He has also achieved numerous records certified by the Guinness World Record, Asia, and India Book of Records, including teaching 359 students an Alarippu in Sankeerna Jaathi Dhruva Talam in 2019, composing 25 Varnams in 25 days in 2020, and leading 125 dancers to present 75 unique Jathis on a virtual platform in 2021.
He has also contributed Rs.10 Lakh to the Government of Tamil Nadu for Covid Relief Fund through a virtual performance with 850 dancers worldwide.
Sri Muralidaran has composed and released more than 150 audio albums exclusively for the field of Bharathanatyam. His dance music albums are used by Bharatha Natyam dancers worldwide. In 2001, Sri Muralidaran was recognized by the prominent Indian music and dance critic Subbudu for "ushering in a new era of composing Varnams for the Bharatanatyam repertoire with new themes and... encompassing varied rhythmic cycles with matching lyrics.”
In addition to composing individual songs in all 35 talams of the Carnatic Sooladhi Saptha talam system, Shri Muralidaran has also composed over 120 Varnams, and Jathswarams in all 72 Melakarata Ragas. Creating compositions in all 72 ragas is an accomplishment that Shri Muralidharan shares with only one other, M. Balamuralikrishna. He likes to explore rare ragas in his compositions, such as Chandra Jyoti, Ganamurthi, and Madhyamavati.
Acknowledgement
Here are the people who helped in the background!
Saira Easan
Photography & Videography
Saira is a passionate photographer with a love for capturing life's little moments. Although she is a hobbyist, she has a keen eye for beauty and a knack for finding the perfect shot. Whether it's stunning landscapes or the spontaneous laughter of loved ones, she finds joy in documenting the simple wonders that surround us. When she is not behind the camera, you'll find her exploring new places, and looking for inspiration. Photography is her creative outlet and a way to share the world through her lens.
Mahesh Abeyewardene
Phtography & Videography