Rathika Suresh Mahadeva

🪔 About

Rathika Suresh Mahadeva is a respected Bharatanatyam exponent, teacher, and choreographer, known for her significant contributions to Indian classical dance in Australia. Born in Kurumpasiddy, in the Northern Region of Sri Lanka, she is a valued disciple of the legendary Bharatanatyam gurus V.P. Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan, collectively known as 'The Dhananjayans'. After migrating to Australia, Rathika Mahadeva established Bharatha Kalanjali, Melbourne, in 1999, an institution dedicated to propagating the Bharatanatyam tradition. Under her guidance, Bharatha Kalanjali, Melbourne, grew to encompass eighty students by 2014. Rathika Mahadeva is celebrated for staging numerous outstanding natya dance and drama productions, including "The Shattered Anklet," "Ashokavanam," and "Jeevanam." Her choreographic work extends to avant-garde dance dramas addressing global issues such as global warming and the plight of boat people, while also honoring traditional margam presentations like 'Parampara'. By 2014, she had successfully conducted at least 13 arangetrams for her students. Her dedication to the arts and community has been recognized with several accolades. In 2012, she received the prestigious Victoria Multicultural Commission's Multicultural Award for Excellence. Further acknowledging her more than two decades of service to the art form, she was bestowed with the "Natya Poorna" title by her gurus, Natya Charyas Dhananjeyan, in 2015. Rathika Mahadeva is known for her selfless and motherly nature, fostering strong relationships with her students and serving as an inspiration through her commitment to all her endeavors. Awards & Honours: Victoria Multicultural Commission's Multicultural Award for Excellence (2012), Natya Poorna (2015).