Shishya
Swara began her Bharatanatyam journey at the age of four and has been learning under the guidance of Smt. Ramya Harishankar from the age of eight. Apart from Bharatanatyam, Swara engages in several other forms of dance as well, from self-choreographed Bollywood and classical fusion to hip-hop and contemporary in the higher levels of her school’s dance team.
A junior at Northwood High, Swara is also involved in many activities at school including playing the violin, taking part in the school newspaper, and being an active member of the Speech and Debate team. She challenges herself with competitive Honors and AP classes, and her sincerity and dedication has helped her both academically and through the arangetram process.
Swara deepens her passion for culture by learning Carnatic classical vocals. She is multilingual and is the vice president of KCA-SC (Karnataka Cultural Association - Southern California) Youth Committee. She participates actively in dramas, dances, and Kannada literature competitions through KCA. Swara was also the 2nd place winner of the 2022 Karnataka Cultural Awareness Award.
Guru
Ramya Harishankar combines the elegance, grace, and suppleness of the Vazhavoor School of Bharatanatyam with the distinctive ability to express all shades of emotion with sensitivity and intuition. She has imbibed these qualities under legendary gurus: late Swamimalai K. Rajaratnam and late Padma Bhushan Kalanidhi Narayanan.
Ramya was recognized as a Distinguished Citizen’ and was added to the Wall of Recognition by the city of Irvine. She is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award (Soorya Foundation, 2022), Kala Seva Bharathi (Bharat Kalachar, India 2012) and the Helene Modjeska Cultural Legacy award (Arts OC 2007), the countywide arts organization in Orange County.
The pandemic led her into a variety of creative paths such as short films on climate change, Bhumika and Asha, until we meet again (20th anniversary of 9/11) that have received numerous nods at film festivals and featured in
many ‘dance film’ festivals. Dance Conversations, a 10 part podcast, explored her legacy through conversations with colleagues, collaborators, and mentors. Arpana Dance Company (ADC) was recognized as LA Milestone Company for sustaining more than 25 years of professional participation in performance, leadership, and service to the greater LA community.
ADC has performed extensively in the US, India, Europe, and Japan and its productions, tours, and participation in performances have raised over $150,000 for charities world-wide. As a creative director of ADC and founding/board member of the Ektaa Center, an arts and cultural center in Irvine, Ramya has hosted several hundred artists, local and global, bringing the best of Indian performing arts to Southern California.