The Natyacharya (Dance Teacher)

Ramya Harishankar, artistic director of the Arpana Dance Company (ADC), a premier school/company of Bharata Natyam in California celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022. Named ‘legacy artist’ by the California Arts Council with an Individual Artist Fellowship (2023). A ‘Distinguished citizen’ - Wall of recognition honoree (2022) of the City of Irvine, she is also the recipient of the Kala Seva Bharathi (India 2012) and the Helene Modjeska Cultural Legacy award (Arts Orange County 2007).

Recipient of several grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the California Arts Council (CAC) and Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA), Harishankar is a 2-time National Endowment for the Arts’s Choreographic Fellow. Her solo career has taken her all over the world, performing extensively in India, Asia, Europe, Australia, and N. America. She regularly conducts workshops/master classes both online and live in N. America, Europe, UK, Australia, and India. Her short ‘dance’ films – Bhumika on climate change, and Aasha…until we meet again, a tribute to 9/11 have been featured in and received awards at numerous film festivals across the world.

Ramya co-founded a nonprofit in 1989 to bring Indian classical dance to SoCal which morphed into the Ektaa Center in 2004 serving the greater community and was recently inducted into Irvine’s “Wall of Honorees”. As an artist on Segerstrom Performing Arts Center’s Arts Teach roster, Harishankar has been sharing her art with school children across S. California since 1990.

The Arpana Dance Company has performed in the US, Japan, Europe, and India. Named a LA Milestone Dance Company by theDance Resource Center of Los Angeles, the Arpana Dance Company is a recipient of grants from theNational Endowment for the Arts, California Arts Council, and Alliance for California Traditional Arts.Besides participating in festivals and events across S. California, in the last 4 decades, the Company has presented 20 full-length productions raising over $150000 for charities worldwide.

The Shishya (student)

Supriya Ghorpadkar began her Bharatanatyam training under the tutelage of Smt. Ramya Harishankar in 2015. Her dance journey, however, began much earlier in India, where she studied Bharatanatyam as a child under the guidance of Smt. Nayana Moray. Though the rhythms of life took her in other directions for a time, her love for dance endured. Returning to Bharatanatyam as an adult has been a joyful rediscovery—an opportunity to nurture a long-held passion and grow closer to the spirit of the tradition.

Beyond dance, Supriya works in the field of technology. For her, Bharatanatyam is more than just an art form—it is a sacred path that brings profound joy and serves as an offering of love and devotion to the Divine.

Vocals

Srikanth Gopalakrishnan is an accomplished Carnatic vocalist, musicologist, composer, and educator, with over 35 years of performance experience. Trained by his mother, the legendary Smt. Leelavathy Gopalakrishnan, he later studied under Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri T.M. Thyagarajan and received the Government of India Cultural Scholarship to train with Sri O.S. Thiagarajan. He further enriched his repertoire under stalwarts like Sri T.K. Govinda Rao, Sri T.R. Subramaniam, and Sri A. Sundaresan.

An “A” graded artist of All India Radio, Srikanth holds a Master’s in Indian Music from the University of Madras and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. A respected scholar and multi-linguist, he has researched and revived compositions of the Mysore composers and Haridasas of Karnataka, tuning over 300 Devarnaamas, along with works from the Divya Prabandhams, bhajans, and Subramanya Bharathi’s songs.

He has worked with India’s leading classical dancers and recorded over 150 dance productions. His awards include Asthana Vidwan of Sri Kanchi Mutt, Best Concert Award from The Music Academy, and honors from prestigious institutions in India and abroad.

Known for his soulful renditions and deep scholarship, Srikanth continues to perform, compose, and teach globally.

Mridangam

B.P. Haribabu is a versatile Mridangam exponent, trained under the esteemed gurus Kalaimamani Sri V.P. Ramadoss and Kalaimamani Sri Thiruvaroor Bhakthavatchalam at the Tamil Nadu Government Music College. With over three decades of dedication to the field, he has earned a distinguished place in the world of classical dance accompaniment.

Honored with the title ‘Vaadhya Visharadha’ in 1988, Sri Haribabu is not only a master of Mridangam but also proficient in Pakhawaj, Nattuvangam, and rhythmic composition. He is highly sought after for Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi performances, known for his impeccable synergy with dancers and deep sensitivity to movement and rhythm.

An innovator in rhythm pedagogy, he developed a unique symbolic notation system for talas and rhythmic patterns that have been widely adopted by dancers and teachers for decades. He has also conducted lectures, workshops, and demonstrations across the world and is set to release a book on rhythm.

A true globe-trotter, Sri Haribabu has performed in 31 countries, including prestigious venues such as the John F. Kennedy Center, Jacob’s Pillow, and Fall for Dance Festival. He has been associated with the Arpana Dance Company (USA) for over 20 years.

Flute

Mohanraj Jayaraman is an accomplished flautist, trained under two legendary gurus—Padma Bhushan Dr. T.V. Gopalakrishnan and Kalaimamani Thiruvarur Swaminathan. He holds a Diploma in Vadiyakalaimani from the Tamil Nadu Government Music College, Chennai, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Indian Music from the University of Madras, where he was awarded the Gold Medal for outstanding performance.

Renowned for his mastery over the Kuzhal (flute) Mohanraj has earned the titles "Kuzhal Isai Nadamani"and "Kuzhal Isai Vendhan", recognizing his contribution to the art form.

He has performed at prestigious venues and festivals including Tamil Isai Vizha, Mahabalipuram Festival, Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, Chidambaram Natarajar Temple, Mantralayam, Vellore Golden Temple, Chinmaya Mission, and Narayana Guru Mutt. His performances span across solo concerts, TV appearances, government-sponsored programs, and dance arangetrams both in India and abroad.

With a deep understanding of tradition and exceptional tonal control, Sri Mohanraj Jayaraman continues to elevate the stature of flute music, captivating audiences with his soulful and resonant performances.

Violin

Kiran Athreya began his violin training at the age of nine under the guidance of Sri Krishna Kutty and is currently a disciple of the renowned violinist Sri Delhi P. Sunderrajan. His musical journey started even earlier with vocal lessons from his grandmother, Smt. Vatsala Parthasarathy, followed by training with Smt. Padma Kutty before he transitioned to violin.

Kiran has since established himself as a versatile and committed Carnatic musician. He has accompanied numerous vocalists, delivered solo performances, and contributed as a violinist for a wide range of Arangetrams and dance productions across the United States and India. A recipient of the prestigious Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) apprenticeship scholarship, Kiran was also recognized by the 12th Council District of the City of Los Angeles for his contributions to the promotion of the arts.

In addition to his musical pursuits, Kiran leads a team of researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, where he applies his analytical and leadership skills to advance pediatric healthcare.