Samridhi's Dance Learning Programs
Learning the nuances of Bharathanatyam through a contemorary and body friendly approach.
The Spiritual and beyond…
Bhakthi is the root of this Art form. Bharathanatyam depicts Bhakthi, the approach of centering / revolving around God as the supreme entity. The earliest reference of Bharathanatyam in Tamil Literature was from Silappadhikaram, one of the predominant epics in Aiynperunkaapiyangal (5 great epics).
The spiritual lineage behind this art form is magnificent but it does not belong to one specific religion and identity. The energy of the almighty is unique and the universe is ever expanding in his creation. The people of the world are his children and there is no discrimination towards any one,be it gender,culture, religion and language to learn this art form.
Contemporary Bharathanatyam , is of more self propagating than transmitting to the generations , of what we were bestowed. There lies a community responsibility to the generations to come to contribute towards a healthy platform for the development of classical arts. If a person devotes a part of their time and energy in this, it will make the art live long and perfect the person in all respects.
Our Approach
Samridhi’s approach towards Bharathanatyam is a healthy balance between the physicality of movements and the emotional understanding of spirituality that has to be adhered to as a performer. If you would like to learn more about how we teach and how the classes are you can book a free trial session, meet your teacher and get to know our process.
The Mission…
To inspire learning and devotion through dance.
To promote the significance of traditional learning in a contemporary approach.
To edify learners of all age groups build a healthy relationship with their dancing bodies.
To focus on building a community that enables dance learners to explore.
About the Artist
Rakshita Purisai Raghunathan
Founder & Artistic Director of Samridhi
Rakshita Purisai Raghunathan
Founder & Artistic Director of Samridhi
Rakshita is a Bharathanatyam Performing Artist, Tutor and Choreographer from Bengaluru, India. She is the Founder of Artistic Director of “Samridhi Dance Foundation” to teach and promote the Indian Classical Dance – Bharathanatyam.
Samridhi is a registered performing arts business organization founded in 2016,to bring people together to explore the art and to build a community of like-minded Bharathanatyam learners and enthusiasts. Samridhi has been recognized by Google India as a channel of immense value in their project for creating a platform for endemic creators and the growth of classical arts on YouTube.
My path towards Natyam ?
Smt. Rakshita Purisai Raghunathan is an award winning Bharatanatyam Dancer from Bangalore, India. She is the Founder & Artistic Director of Samridhi Dance Foundation. She is a disciple of Kalaimamani Smt. Ramya Ramnarayan, following the lineage of Vadhyar Swamimalai K Rajaratnam Pillai.
Rakshita was born in Chennai and started learning dance at an early age of 5 from Coimbatore. She has also received training in carnatic music from the same age and has performed in prestigious Thyagaraja Aradhana Festivals and Adi Friday Mahotsavams. Rakshita has had formative training in Pandanallur and Vazhuvoor Styles. Curently, she is a student of Kalaimamani Guru. Smt. Ramya Ramnarayan, New Jersey,USA and a student with Dr. Sujatha Mohan(disciple of Guru, Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam) pursuing her training in Natya Shastra Karanas, the Bharatanrityam. She is also trained in Nattuvangam from Guru. Kaliswaran Pillai (Lineage of Guru Kathirvel Nattuvanar), Mumbai. She is a “Natyacharya”, upon completing of Adhyapika training from VELS University Chennai and Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts, Chennai.
Notable performances across India
Rakshita has given several notable performances across India, to mention a few -Nadaneerajanam, Tirumala Tirupati, Karthik Fine Arts, Chennai, Shastriya Bharatanatyam Utsav at Ayodhya , convened by the Ministry of Culture and IECSME- Delhi , Atharvotsava – festival of Dance & Music at Mumbai, Mayuram Nritya Utsav “Varshmangal” held at ICCR, Kolkata, Guru Poornima at Haridwar – Uttarakhand, Guru Samarpana Angaharam – a tribute to Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam held at Chennai by Dr. Sujatha Mohan, World Tamil Conference(Semmozhi Maanadu) ,Kalemane Sabhangana at Mysore, Lalithambika Sabha – Trivandrum. She recently performed for Asia’s Biggest Festival – Bharath Nritholsav at the Peringottukkara Devasthanam at Kerala and was covered leading media about the performance. She has performed in Mahashivaratri Natyanjalis at Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvaiyyaru, Thiruvidaimarudhoor, Perur and Hosur and at temples of Guruvayoor and Chottanikara in Kerala. She has also participated in notable dance festivals in Bangalore and Chennai. She also had the honour of performing virtually at the World Festival of Indian Dance –held at Dora Stratou Greek Theatre at Athens, Greece. She rendered a special performance at a senior living centre in Pondicherry as an outreach program which was greatly received.
Awards and Recognition
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Awards
- “Nritya Nipun” conferred by the prestigious Atharvotsav’24 felicitated by Shri. Prince Pratap Singh Serfoji Raje Bhonsle(descendant of the great Serfoji Raj of Thanjavur Maratha Empire held at Mumbai in April 2024
- “Nari Pratibha Samman” Changemaker award for the year 2024 by SheForward Foundation powered by NE8x® Inspire, recognising
exceptional women changemakers for works,efforts and contribution across diverse domains. - “Nritya Mayuri Samman” from “Varshmangal Utsav” – Astika Centre of Performing Arts held at ICCR, Ho Chi Minh, Kolkata in July 2023.
- “Natya Kalamani” and “Best Performance Award” from SHKK Trust during the Hosur Natyanjali in February 2023
- “Artpreneur of the Year” by Femmetimes Media Jaipur, for India;s Under 50 Women Achievers
- “Yuva Kala Bharati” – Junior awarded at the earlier days by Bharati Yuvakendra, Madurai
Other Recognitions
Rakshita is Certified in Dance Movement Psychotherapy and was also part of the Cohort-South Asia Festival Academy of Edinburgh Napier University in partnership with British Council both from UK. She has completed her 200 hours Teacher Training Course in Yoga from Indian Yoga Foundation(Ministry of Ayush). Rakshita is a certified member of International Dance Council, CID (UNESCO) and is affiliated to certify students with International recognitions. Rakshita is also a member of ABHAI and SPIC-MACAY organizations in India. Rakshita’s initiative “Samridhi Dance Foundation” was established to teach and train students across the globe through virtual learning management programs in dance, curated and developed by her. She has to her credit, students from over 15 countries enrolled in her training programs.
Art Films
- The Mirage of Inadequacy – FFTG AWARDS – Official Selection(People’s Choice)
Get in Touch with us…
Reach Out! Ask us anything we will answer your questions as soon as possible. Book a free guidance class and get to know about our courses.