Dr. Anisha Rajesh

🪔 About

Dr. Anisha Rajesh is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, scholar, educator, performer, and choreographer, known for her expertise in Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, and Ottanthulal. Her journey in Indian classical arts began at the age of five or six, receiving extensive training in various dance forms and Carnatic Music. She completed her Arangetram in Carnatic Music at 15 and in Bharathanatyam and Mohiniyattam at 17. Her foundational training in Bharathanatyam was under the late Sri. Vasudeva Panicker, followed by Sri. K Sreevalsan, and advanced studies with Dr. Neena Prasad. She also trained in Mohiniyattam with Sri. K Sreevalsan and Dr. Neena Prasad, and specifically in the Kalamandalam style with Smt. Kalamandalam Pushpalatha. Her Kuchipudi training was under Sri. K Sreevalsan. For Kathakali, she studied with Sri Kalamandalam Krishna Prasad and Sri. Kalamandalam Kuttikrishnan, and for Ottanthulal, with Sri Kalamandalam Gopinathaprabha. She also received Carnatic Music training from the late Sri. Sankara Pillai. Academically, Dr. Rajesh holds a PhD in Dance from Texas Woman's University, where her research focused on the movement vocabulary of Indian classical dance after the British colonial era, with a specific emphasis on Mohiniyattam. She also possesses an MA and MPhil in English Language and Literature, a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism, and a degree in Education. Before moving to the USA in 2005, she taught graduate and postgraduate students at colleges affiliated with the University of Kerala and the University of Pune. In October 2008, Dr. Anisha Rajesh founded Upasana Kalakendra in Houston, Texas, where she serves as the Artistic Director. The academy provides structured training in Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam, and Carnatic Music, with studios in Katy, Missouri City/Sugarland (Riverstone), and Spring/Cypress. Upasana Kalakendra moved into its own dedicated facility in February 2014. She is also the creator of Chetana, an early childhood program at Upasana Kalakendra that explores aesthetic movement through dance, music, poetry, and storytelling for children aged 2 to 5. Awards & Honours: Natyajyothi award, Best actress award, Best Dancer and the All-round award.