Ashwini S

🪔 About

Ashwini Srivatsan is an Indian classical dancer, educator, performer, and researcher with over 25 years of training in Bharatanatyam and Bharatanrityam. She received her Bharatanatyam training from Guru Smt. Nirmala Madhava of Pampa and her Bharatanrityam training from the late Guru Smt. Sundari Santhanam, a disciple of Padma Bhushan Smt. Padma Subramaniam. Srivatsan has also studied Sadir under Dr. Swarnamalya Ganesh and extensively delved into the Natya Shastra and Indian philosophies (Nyaya, Vaisesika, Shaivism) under Shri Piyal Bhattacharya. Her dance education also includes Kathak, Jazz, and Contemporary dance from UC Santa Cruz. Additionally, she is a multifaceted artist with training in Hindustani and Carnatic classical singing and the Veenai, which she learned from her mother, Vyjayanthimala Sridhar. Srivatsan began her teaching career as the founder of Mani Paduka Nrityashala in Las Cruces, New Mexico. In 2008, she co-founded Tattva Dance Academy, where she developed a curriculum blending Indian and Western dance forms. She also served as part of the dance faculty at New Mexico State University, teaching a graduate-level course in Bharatanatyam. In 2011, she founded the Kanha School of Dance in San Jose, CA, where she serves as the artistic director, dedicated to teaching and performing Bharata Nrityam. She has performed hundreds of times in major dance festivals, presented solo productions, and collaborated with artists such as Debra Knapp. Her choreographic work includes 'Hindu Swing', presented at the ODC in San Francisco, which aimed to introduce Bharatanatyam to a jazz audience. In March 2024, she was conferred the title "Marga Tattva Kovida" by Chidakash Kalalay. Awards & Honours: Marga Tattva Kovida (2024).