Arangetrams
in alphabetical order by Student's First Name
Akhila Ananth
Having graduated from New York University in 2004 with a degree in Migration and Cultural Studies; after working for years in the public sector in New York, Los Angeles, and New Delhi, Akhila is now pursuing her PhD at UC Irvine in Criminology, Law and Society. Akhila performed her Arangetram in 1997. She toured India and the US with the Shakti Dance Company and continues to dance. She is eternally grateful to the support of her parents, friends and family, and of course, Viji Aunty.
Amritha Acharya
"From the time I was 6 years old, I wanted to be a Bharata Natyam dancer." In 1999, Amritha performed her Arangetram and soon after tour with Shakti's Bhagvad Gita accross the nation. Currently a third grade teacher at a private school in Yorba Linda, CA Amritha says "I love my job and I instill the discipline and determination, I learned from dance, in my students".
Anisha Patel
Anisha Patel started dancing with Viji Prakash when she was 5 years old. She did her arangetram in 1993 and subseqently went on two tours of India with her Guru. Anisha is a doctor in Nothern California, specializing in Psychiatry.
Anita Keshavan
Anita Keshavan presented her Arangetram in 1996 and went on to tour with Shakti in Shyama in 1997. Having assisted her Guru at the Shakti School of Bharata Natyam as a teacher for many years, Anita, a graduate of USC, currently lives in New York City.
Anjali Raval
Anjali Raval became a student of Viji Prakash at the age of 16 and presented her Arangetram in 1990. For Anjali, the journey of her Arangetram was nearly as important as the event itself. Anjali performed in Shakti productions including her last solo appearance in "Evolution of a Goddess" 1994. She toured India with Shakti in 1987 and 1994. She is currently the Director of Promotions for Live Nations. The training, discipline and dedication for the Arangetram helped pave her path to many other accomplishments, including completing her first marathon in 2008.
Anjali Tata Hudson
Anjali Tata holds an MFA in Dance from UCLA's Dept. of World Arts & Cultures. Her training includes 22 years of Bharata Natyam experience under the tutelage of Viji Prakash. She performed her Arangetram in 1990. She danced with the Shakti Dance Company across the US, Canada and India from 1992-1996. Co-founder of Post Natyam Dance Collective Anjali relocated to Kansas City in 2004. She teaches dance and yoga currently. Anjali and Douglas Hudson are the proud parents of two year old Neva Sai.
Anjuli Kumar Mehrotra
Anjuli Kumar Mehrotra studied dance with Viji Prakash for several years before she and her sister Sumita presented their Arangetram in 1995. Following this the premier of "The Birth & Life of Siddhartha" was presented by Anjuli and SUmita to a discerning audience. Though a pediatrician by profession and with her two young daughters who have kept her busy, Anjuli hopes to dance again soon.
Asha Ravikumar
Asha Ravikumar had her Arangetram in 1993. She has toured India and the US with Shakti. She is a physician, now doing a fellowship in Nephrology in San Francisco.
Chitra Sambasivan
Chitra Sambasivan presented her Arangetram with her sister Pria Sambasivan in 1994. They both toured India the following winter in 1994, with the Shakti group that presented Bhaja Govindam throughout the country. Chitra is a doctor now at Cedars Sinai Hospital Los Angeles.
Esha Datta
Esha Datta, younger sister of Sreoshi has been dancing for most of her life. She performed her Arangetram in September 1999. With a BS in engineering and mathematics from Stanford University and her MS from UC Berkeley in 2007 Esha resides in Nothern California and works as a mechanical engineer.