Malathi Iyengar

🪔 About

Malathi Iyengar is a Los Angeles-based Bharatanatyam choreographer, educator, dancer, writer, and visual artist. She received her initial training in the Pandanallur/Tanjore style of Bharatanatyam from Guru Narmada of Bangalore, India, who was a disciple of the legendary Kittappa Pillai. After moving to the United States as a teenager, Iyengar continued her dance education, traveling to India to study with her guru and later earning a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance Choreography & Performance from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she also studied choreography under Marion Scott. In 1985, Iyengar founded the Rangoli Foundation for Art & Culture, and subsequently the Rangoli Dance Company in 1992, serving as their artistic director. Through these organizations, she promotes Indian culture and heritage by preserving classical Indian dance techniques while also creating innovative choreography that bridges cultural gaps. Iyengar is recognized as a Master Artist of Bharatanatyam dance by the Alliance for California Traditional Artists and has received numerous accolades for her traditional and intercultural choreographic works. Her teaching legacy includes training her daughter, Lakshmi Iyengar, who is also a performer and co-artistic director of the Rangoli Dance Company, and other senior students. She has also served as adjunct faculty at Santa Monica College and UCLA. Iyengar is the author of 'Dance & Devotion', published by Rangoli Foundation in 2004. Awards & Honours: Asthana Vidushi (Hindu Temple Society of Southern California) (2005), COLA Fellow (City of Los Angeles mid-career exemplary artist fellowship for choreography) (2013), Lester Horton Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement for World Dance – 'Shivaya' (2010), KCA (Karnataka Cultural Association, Los Angeles) Award & Recognition (2009), Hind Rattan Award (NRI Welfare Society of India) (2009), Rainbow Award (Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival) (2007), California Cultureplace Artist (ACTA) (2006), Alliance for California Traditional Artists – Master Artist (2005), Durfee Foundation Artist's Resource for Completion Award (2000), Brody Fellowship for Performing Arts/Dance (1999), Alma Hawkins Award for Excellence in Choreography (1995), Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Award (1994), John Lennon Performing Arts Award, J. Watumull Award, National Endowment for the Arts for Creation & Presentation.