Namaste! Bharatanatyam is a timeless and inspiring art form. I approach both learning and teaching it with care, and I enjoy sharing its depth and beauty with young dancers in our community.
Vilasini began her Bharatanatyam training under the guidance of Shri K. Mohanan, Professor at Kalakshetra, Chennai, India. Alongside her classical training, she studied traditional Indian folk dances with the same Guru, gaining a strong foundation in both forms. Her years of disciplined practice through middle school, high school, and undergraduate studies culminated in her Arangetram at the age of 21, marking a significant milestone that celebrated her technical proficiency and expressive artistry. In addition to dance, Vilasini is also trained in Carnatic music. After relocating to the United States, Vilasini continued her Bharatanatyam education for three more years under Smt. Joyce Paul, founder of Arpan Arts in Redmond.
She has performed extensively in both solo and group productions, including the Mahabalipuram Dance Festival, Northwest Folklife, Seattle NatyaKala Festival, temple events, and chamber recitals. She has also choreographed Indian folk–inspired dances for various community events, as well as multiple Bharatanatyam pieces for her students.
Dance has been a constant and defining presence in Vilasini’s life. She began teaching informally to family and friends, and through teaching discovered a deeper appreciation for the richness and depth of Bharatanatyam. Her approach to instruction is grounded in reverence for tradition, a genuine passion for the art form, and a commitment to inspiring the next generation of dancers. By mentoring young students, she continues to expand her own understanding while fostering artistic growth within the community. Alongside her artistic pursuits, Vilasini is a Senior Software Engineer, skillfully balancing her professional career with her dedication to dance and teaching.
The mridangam is a wonderful Indian percussion instrument, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share its art with young students.
Shreekanth is a disciple of Guru Sri. Lakshman Mahadevan, and has learnt Mridangam for several years, based on the style of Mridanga Vidwan Shri. Palghat Mani Iyer. His goal is to share and promote the artform with the community. He is committed to providing his students with the best possible learning experience and is always willing to answer any questions they may have. He provides a carefully curated set of lessons, provided by his Guru, including Text, Audio, Video and descriptions, and shares them with his students, so that they can get the most out of it.
Outside of his artistic pursuits, Shreekanth is also a triathlete and has completed several Marathons and IronMan races.