Aarathi Shetty

🪔 About

Dr. Araty Shetty is a distinguished figure in the realm of Indian classical dance, specializing in Bharatanatyam. She received her foundational training and completed her Arangetram under the guidance of her mother, the esteemed Smt. Jayalakshmi Alva. Academically accomplished, Dr. Shetty holds a B.Sc., M.Ed., and a Ph.D. from SNDT University, Mumbai. Her early performing career saw her representing Mangalore University in the Youth Festival in 1981. Currently, Dr. Araty Shetty serves as the Director of Sridevi Nrithya Kendra in Mangalore, an institution dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Bharatanatyam in its purest form. This Kendra has a rich history, having been founded by her parents, Smt. Jayalakshmi Alva and Late Sri. Ramakrishna Alva, initially as the Chitrambalam Dance Centre in Bombay (Mumbai) before its relocation to Mangalore in 1974. Dr. Shetty's extensive contributions to the field extend beyond performance and directorship. She has been a staff member at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Mangalore since 1986, indicating a long-standing commitment to dance education. Her influence is also evident through her role as a Member of the Karnataka Sangeetha Nrithya Akademi Bangalore from 2001 to 2003, and as Chairman of the Board of Studies & Examination in Bharatanatyam at Mangalore University from 2002 to 2006. She has been a proactive organizer of cultural events, including the "Nrityotsava" festival since 1993, and has conducted numerous workshops and dance camps. Furthermore, Dr. Shetty has contributed to dance scholarship by presenting a paper on "The Past Present and Future of Classical dance in Karnataka" at the Karnataka Nrithya Kalavidara Sammelan in 2010. She has also organized Group Dance Choreography Workshops and has personally guided twelve students through their Arangetrams.