Vithya Arasu

🪔 About

Vithya Arasu is an eminent Indian classical dancer, teacher, choreographer, and researcher, known for her unique movement vocabulary and powerful explorations of identity and cultural expression through dance. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Performing Arts (Bharatanatyam) from Bharathiar Palakalai Koodam, affiliated with Pondicherry University, and a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Sastra University. She also completed a Diploma in Dance Teacher Training from Tamil University and cleared the National Eligibility Test in 2015. Arasu received extensive formal training in various classical dance forms. Her training in Nritta Karanas of Natyasastra was under the tutelage of Guru Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, Guru Dr. Gayatri Kannan, and Guru Smt. Uma Sriram. She also gained experience teaching Bharatanrityam at Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam's institution, 'Nrithyodaya', for five years. Her initial Odissi training was from Guru Kanchana, followed by studies with Guru Surupa Sen at Nrityagram and Guru Bijayini Sathpathy. She currently continues her Odissi learning under Rukmini Vyas Dwivedi. Additionally, she has trained in Mayurbhanj Chhau under Guru Rakesh Sai Babu and Kandyan dance under Guru Shamitha Hettige. Her diverse training also includes Mohiniattam with Guru Vichitra Dinakaran, basics of Vilasini Natyam with Guru Purva Dhanashree, Kathak with Barkha Patel and Eshani Sathe, Kalari from Kalarigram, and Balinese Dance from Putri Hakindon and Ayu Nareswari. Her career highlights include working as an Assistant Professor of dance for three years at Dr. MGR Janaki College, Chennai, and as an Assistant Professor at Sastra University. Since 2013, she has been a part of Guru Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam's productions, performing extensively in India and abroad, and assisting in workshops. She has performed in approximately 50 shows with Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam's group and for prestigious events like the Soorya Festival, Natyanjali, and the International Trade Fair. Arasu has presented lecture demonstrations at the Sangeet Natak Academy and performed at the 38th Natya Kala Conference and Natyasastra Utsav. She was also a classical dancer in the film 'Life of Pi' and acted in short films. Vithya Arasu founded and leads Natya Kala Vidyalaya in Pondicherry, an institution that celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2023 and has students globally. She also conducts dance classes for cancer-affected children and their mothers through the 'Tapping Joy' program. In 2023, she collaborated with Shamitha Hettige on "Anurakti," an Indo-Srilankan dance production. She is also an instructor for NatyaClass on The Pallikoodam e-learning platform. Awards & Honours: Best Performer Award (2018), Young Artistes Scholarship, Gold Medalist in Bachelor of Performing Arts, First mark in Karana Exam (NrityaShali) (2014), Best Child Award for Yoga and dance (2004), Yoga Championship (2005).