Guru Vandane

We extend our deepest gratitude to the many guiding lights who have touched Aditi’s learning journey with their dedication, love and support.

Vidushi Dr. Tulasi Ramachandra

Dr. Tulasi Ramachandra is a distinguished senior danseuse, scholar, and versatile Guru hailing from Karnataka. An exponent of the Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Bharatanatya styles, she holds doctorates in both dance and literature, reflecting her profound command over the performing arts and letters.

In 1979, Dr. Ramachandra founded the Nrityalaya Trust. Today, the institution is recognized globally, with numerous branches dedicated to nurturing and spreading the Nrityalaya tradition—with Smt. Ramya Abhijit standing as one of its foundational pillars. As the Trust gears up to celebrate its Golden Jubilee, it continues to thrive under Dr. Ramachandra's visionary leadership.

A dedicated researcher and choreographer, Dr. Ramachandra has spent over 25 years propagating Karnataka's rich dance heritage, notably reconstructing ancient dance forms that had been obsolete since the 13th century A.D. In the year 2000, she evolved Madhurya Marga, a highly acclaimed and significant style of Bharatanatya. Translating to "sweetness," Madhurya Marga is characterized by soft, graceful bodily movements that simultaneously symbolize the strength to face challenges and emerge with laurels. This sophisticated style engages the body, mind, and soul, requiring mature dancers to master complex hand gestures, intricate rhythmic patterns, and precise postures to evoke the appropriate Bhava and Rasa. Today, all of her compositions reflect this beautifully complex style, earning the applause of artists, Gurus, and rasikas alike.

Beyond her choreography, Dr. Ramachandra is an accomplished lyricist, composer, and author. Her notable literary works include Padagati Paadagati, which is highly regarded in classical dance and literary circles, and Tulasi Priya Nartana Guchha, a beautiful collection of her original Kannada compositions.

In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, Dr. Ramachandra has been honored by leading institutions across India, the United States, and Sri Lanka. Most notably, she is a recipient of the prestigious Rajyotsava and Karnataka Kalasri awards. She fondly refers to her lifelong dedication to the arts as "Nalavina Payana"—the enchanting journey of dance.

Vidushi Ramya Prasad Abhijit

Ramya Prasad Abhijit is an accomplished Bharatanatya dancer, trained under the renowned   Dr. Tulasi Ramachandra in the Vazhuvoor and Madhurya Marga style. Her performances are known for bringing alive the bhavabhinaya, the deep emotional expression hidden in Sahitya and Sangita. Her powerful and touching choreography in dance productions and dramas has captivated audiences across India and the USA. Ramya has performed at several prestigious platforms including Sri Udupi Mutt, JSS Spiritual Mission, Mysore, Navika, Kannada Koota of Northern California, South India Fine Arts, OSAAT, Mandaara Creations, Kasturi Media, and the AKKA World Kannada Conference. 

Since 2008, she has directed and performed in Alamelu Iyengar’s productions such as Harinabhisarana, Sri Rama Pattabhisheka, Gokula Nirgamana, Jaya Jaya Vijayee Raghurama, and Seeta Parinaya. She holds the distinct honor of leading choreography and dance direction for the esteemed Natakachitra and Bannda Vesha theater groups. Her artistry has been appreciated by celebrated personalities including Vijay Prakash, M.D. Pallavi, Raghu Dixit, and Kiran Bedi. Her work at the Children’s Opera in Oakland, CA, also received widespread praise for its creativity and emotional depth. A Vidwat degree holder in Bharatanatya with over 25 years of experience, Ramya has also learned the basics of Kathak, enriching her understanding of classical Indian dance forms. In 2010, she founded Nrityalaya Dance Academy in the Bay Area, USA, where she continues to train and inspire new generations of dancers. She also co-founded the dance group TAALA, and has held several leadership roles, including Entertainment Chair at AKKA WKC 2014 and KKNC’s 50-year celebration in 2023.

Beyond dance, Ramya is also a Montessori teacher and a popular RJ at Bengaluru Voice Radio in the USA—reflecting her dynamic blend of creativity, leadership, and passion for culture.

Read More @ https://nrityalaya.dance/

Shri. Susheela Narasimhan

Shri. Susheela Narasimhan sir has taught Aditi violin since she was eight years old. He is a loving father figure to Aditi who has shaped her knowledge of carnatic classical raaga's. Every class he would quiz her to identify raaga's which became her favorite thing to do as she listened to any song. His continuous push to be better has made her a strong performer and a humble artist.

Dr Narasimhan learnt violin from Sri H.K. Venkatram in Shimoga for about a year and later on from Sri H.K. Narasimha Murthy for about 6-7 years in Mysore. He has played for many concerts in the bay area.  He also teaches violin in the Bay area and has produced good students who are now playing for concerts in the Bay area.  He has composed many Pallavis on Lord Raghavendra Swamy and runs a Melakartha Pallavi Concert Series.  He has also given lecture demonstrations on California Arts Association Television on violin playing.  He has composed many Thillanas ,Pallavis , Jathiswarams and Varnams.  He has also developed new ragas like KarunaPriya, PADMA , Sangama etc .   He was awarded the title of Karnataka Sangeetha Praveena by Namaha Arts Foundation.   He has a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering and works as a Lead Thermal Engineer for Nvidia.

Smt. Subha Narasimhan

Smt. Subha is Aditi's vocal teacher for the last decade. Subha's rigouros training, the classical depth and techniques set her students apart.  

Smt. Subha Narasimhan is an accomplished vocalist & violinist, who has performed in more than 300 concerts in India & the US. Subha got her vocal training under Dr. Ranganatha Sharma and Geethadevi Vasudevan of All India Radio, Calicut. She got her violin training under guru, Sri. T.G. Gopalakrishnan. Subha is a graded artist of All India Radio Calicut, where she has been performing until she moved to the US to pursue her graduate studies. She has won several accolades in various prestigious competitions and has received the title of “Kalaa Thilakam” and Art Scholarships from Kerala “Sangeetha-Nataka” Academy. Subha has trained a select set of students in Utah, Chicago & the Bay Area, some of whom have gone on to become concert level performers. On the professional front, Subha has a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering & she is the Director of Supply chain at Cisco. Subha currently resides in the Bay Area with her family, and she is thankful for their support through the years. 

Vidushi Smt. Leela Mundruppady

Smt. Leela Mundruppady is Aditi's dodda (grandmother) who spent a lot of time virtually with Aditi during COVID. What started as a playful show off of what she learnt in carnatic music soon transitioned into learning more Haridaasa Kriti's on both vocal and violin. Aditi and Leela Dodda spent hours learning, talking and just being there with each other during the lockdown and beyond. 

Smt. Leela Mundruppady was a renowned singer and violinist in Dharmasthala, South Canara. She has groomed several young artists. Aditi had the privilege to learn both vocal and violin from her as a child. Thank you Leela Dodda for your love and teachings of the many dasara padagalu and other Kriti's. Guru Smt. Leela Sridhar Rao received her training in Carnatic violin under Sri G. N. Kalasai Bhat and in Carnatic vocal music under Sri B. Narayan Aithal. She is a B-Grade Vocal Artist of All India Radio (AIR), Mangalore, and has presented numerous vocal concerts on AIR. An accomplished vocalist and violinist, Smt. Leela Sridhar Rao has provided violin accompaniment for several leading Carnatic musicians in the Mangalore region and has also accompanied visiting artists during her visit to New Jersey, USA.

A dedicated and respected music educator, she has trained numerous students in both Carnatic vocal music and violin across the Mangalore and Davangere districts. Many of her disciples have gone on to become accomplished performers and have presented successful concert performances, reflecting her commitment to preserving and promoting the rich tradition of Carnatic music.