Shilpa Ashok

🪔 About

Shilpa Ashok is a dedicated Bharatanatyam practitioner, dance educator, and the Artistic Director of Nitya Natyashale. Her profound journey with Bharatanatyam commenced at the tender age of five, when she began her rigorous training under the tutelage of her paternal aunt, Karnataka Kalashree Smt. Savitha Arun. Smt. Savitha Arun is the esteemed Director of Aruna Kalavidaru in Bangalore and is recognized as one of India's most respected Bharatanatyam artists, having herself trained under the legendary Abhinaya Shiromani Vidwan Shornur Rajarathnam Pillai. Under her aunt's expert guidance, Shilpa honed her skills, embracing the precision, grace, and emotive depth inherent in classical dance. She has showcased her talent at various prestigious dance festivals across regional and national platforms in India. Her performances have included notable pieces such as Sindhoora Ganapa, Mohini Bhasmasura, Sundapa Sunda, and Velapuri Vaibhava, presented under the banner of Aruna Kalavidaru Production. Shilpa's commitment to the art form extends to education; she began teaching at the age of eighteen and has since accumulated extensive experience in nurturing dancers of all ages and levels. In October 2020, she founded Nitya Natyashale with the singular vision of spreading awareness of Bharatanatyam, fostering young talent, and perpetuating the revered Guru-Shishya parampara (teacher-student tradition) for future generations. Beyond her academy, Shilpa also serves as the Vice President of Sandalwood Arts & Entertainment Inc., an organization dedicated to promoting Kannada language, Karnataka culture, and the arts.