Shalini Varghese Chandragiri

🪔 About

Shalini Varghese Chandragiri is a prominent Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher, choreographer, and institution head based in Dallas, Texas, USA. She began her journey in Indian classical dance at the age of five, training under Guru Smt. Revathi Satyu at the Arathi School of Dance. Her extensive training also includes learning from legendary figures such as Padma Bhushan The Dhananjayans, Padma Shri Adyar K. Lakshman, Kalaimamani Smt. Priyadarsini Govind, Padma Bhushan Kalanidhi Narayanan, Smt. Padmini Ravi, Dr. Maya Rao, Smt. Priya Murle, Dr. Seshadri Iyengar, and Smt. Nirupama and Rajendra. Chandragiri had her arangetram in 1997 and has since performed extensively both in the United States and internationally. In 2004, she was formally presented by her guru for a performance in India. She is the Founder and Director of the Arathi School of Dance in Dallas, Texas, where she has been teaching for over 25 years. Under her guidance, more than 30 students have completed their arangetram in Bharatanatyam. Beyond her teaching, Shalini Varghese Chandragiri is a founding member of the Indique Dance Company, established in June 2008, which aims to explore new and creative directions in Indian classical dance. She has choreographed and participated in numerous original dance productions with the company. Her leadership extends to her role as the President of the Indian Cultural Heritage Foundation (ICHF), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting intercultural awareness, and as a Director for the Dance Council of North Texas. In recognition of her artistic contributions, Chandragiri was awarded the prestigious Natalie Skelton Award for Artistic Excellence by the Dance Council of North Texas in September 2015. Awards & Honours: Natalie Skelton Award for Artistic Excellence (2015).