Chitra Ramaswamy

🪔 About

Chitra Ramaswamy is a distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher, and choreographer, widely recognized for her contributions to Indian classical dance, particularly in the United States. Her journey into classical dance began at the age of nine, leading her to train in the revered Kalakshetra style under the tutelage of Guru Padmashree Adyar K. Laksmanan of Chennai. She performed her Arangetram in Chennai and continued to pursue her passion for dance even while earning a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from BITS, Pilani. Ramaswamy has graced numerous stages across India, including prestigious Sabhas in Chennai, and has toured internationally, performing solo and in dance dramas in the United States and the United Kingdom. She has also played leading roles in productions by other dance companies such as Nrithyanjali Institute of Dance, Bharatha Choodamani, and Padmni Institute of Dance. In 2005, Chitra Ramaswamy founded the "Sanskriti School Of Dance" in New Jersey, USA, where she serves as its artistic director. The school is dedicated to perpetuating India's rich cultural heritage by teaching and performing Bharatanatyam, striving to maintain the art form's purity and tradition while also exploring innovative programming and collaborations. Sanskriti School of Dance is regarded as one of the upcoming and treasured Indian dance companies in the United States. Ramaswamy's teaching philosophy emphasizes diligent and devoted instruction, mirroring the dedication of her own gurus. She currently trains under Kalaimamani Jayanthi Subramaniam and is mentored by renowned Bharatanatyam exponents Kalaimamani Priyadarsini Govind and Shri Shijith Nambiar/Mrs. Bragha Bessell. She is also a co-founder of the Navadarshana annual dance retreat and NJ Natyasangamam, initiatives aimed at recognizing and promoting young talents in Bharatanatyam. Her choreographic works include critically acclaimed productions like "Dhruva," an adaptation of The Lion King, and other innovative themes that blend modern and traditional elements to engage contemporary audiences. Awards & Honours: Award of Excellence in the Arts, Award of Appreciation for contribution to Bharatanatyam in Annmayya Tathwa Pracharam during the XVth Annamacharya Aradhana Utsavam, Award of Recognition by the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple, Aurora, IL, Balasaraswathi Award by Krishna Gana Sabha (1995), Selection by the Tamil Nadu Government for their sponsored programs (1993).