Kirupa Ratneswaran

🪔 About

Kirupanithy Ratneswaran is a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, particularly Bharatanatyam, known for her extensive teaching career spanning over 45 years. Her early training began in Sri Lanka under Mrs. Kala Ratnasothy for approximately four years, followed by six years of professional training with Mrs. Suseela Korairo, during which she performed, completed examinations, and won regional competitions. In 1983, she moved to India for post-professional training in dance and nattuvangam at the Bharatha Choodamani Academy of Fine Arts, studying under the eminent Guru Adyar K. Lakshman. In 1985, Kirupanithy Ratneswaran relocated to Germany, where she toured as a professional dance artist. Recognizing the lack of Bharatanatyam teachers in the region, she established her own school for professional Bharatanatyam training on January 22, 1986. She later moved to Canada in 1993, founding the Canadian branch of her institution, Laya Bhava Dance Academy, which now has locations in Markham, Scarborough, and Toronto. Under her artistic direction, Laya Bhava Dance Academy has achieved national and international recognition for its unique style and perfection, shaping numerous aspiring dancers into professional artists who have won prestigious competitions and performed at venues like the Kalakshetra Foundation. As an author, Kirupanithy Ratneswaran has published two books: "Bharatha Muthirai" in 1993, a dance theory book for grades one to seven, and "Bharatha Natyam" in 1997, which details adavus with her own illustrations. She is also a continuous learner, having studied abhinaya from Bragha Bessell and Indira Kadampi, and trained at the Kuchipudi Art Academy. In 2011, she co-founded Sahana Dance Company to support Tamil Bharatanatyam artists in pursuing dance careers. Awards & Honours: Dance Professional Grant (2012), Ontario Arts Council dance training grant (2013), Ontario Arts Council dance training grant (2014), Ontario Arts Council dance training grant (2015), Ontario Arts Council dance training grant (2018), Community Engaged Arts Grant (2024), Athitha Narthaki, Niruthya Kalaamani.