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
Rakshita Raghunathan is a Bharathanatyam Performing Artist, Tutor and Choreographer from Bengaluru, India. She is the Founder of Artistic Director of Samridhi Dance Foundation, an institution promoting the art of Bharatanatyam.
Founded in 2016,Samridhi Dance Foundation aims to bring learners together to explore the art journeying through time. “Samridhi’s” maiden platform on YouTube 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. Our Foundation has taught over 100+ students in over 25+ countries the significance of authentic learning of the art form and the traditional wisdom of dance.
Her Path towards Natya
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. She is also trained in Natya Shastra “Karana Vivaranam” (Bharatanrityam) from Dr. Sujatha Mohan(disciple of Padma Vibhushan Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam) . She is trained in Layam and Nattuvangam from senior Gurus. 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
- Presentation at Ram Jhanma Bhoomi, Ayodhya under a project of Ministry of Culture and IECSME convened by Guru Dr. Padmaja Venkastesh – 2023
- Guru Poornima Festival at Haridwar, Uttarakhan – 2019
- SVBC – Nadaneerajanam at Tirumala Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh – 2018
- Mayuram Nritya Utsab held at ICCR, Kolkata – 2023
- Atharvotsav Dance & Music Festival held at Mumbai – 2024
- 41st Nirantara Kalemane Utsav held at Mysuru , Karnataka – 2024
- Bharath Nritholsav held at Thrissur, Kerala – 2024
- Guru Samarpana Angaharam – a tribute to Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam in 2023
- “Chinna Melam Festival” – at Tanjore Big Temple (Brihadeeswara) in 2018
- Divyaarvirbhaav Manifestation of the Divine Series – 2024
- Mahashivaratri Seva at Banaswadi Temple – 2025
- Natya Sankalpa at Vinayaka Venkateshwara Devasthana, Bengaluru – 2024
- Mahashivratri Natyanjalis at
Adi Kumbeswara Temple – Kumbakonam – 2019, 2023
Mahalingeshwara Temple – Thiruvidaimarudhoor – 2023
Mayuranathaswamy Temple – Mayiladuthurai – 2009
Panchanadeeswara Temple – Thiruvaiyaru – 2009, 2024
Veerateswara Temple – Vazhuvoor – 2024
Bhava Oushadeeswara Temple – Thiruthuraipoondi – 2025
Pateeswara Temple – Perur – 2011
Kapaleeshwara Temple – Mylai – 2018
Pasupatheeswara Temple – Karur – 2025
Kalyana Kamakshi Temple – Hosur – 2023, 2025
Awards and Recognition
-
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 Kushala” award for her contribution as a Guru in the auspices of “Banaswadi Natyanjali” by Natanam Foundation Trust
- “Natya Kalamani” and “Best Performance Award” from Shri Hosur Kalyana Kamakshi Trust during the Hosur Natyanjali in February 2023 and March 2024
- “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.
Recent Works
“Adhyantara”- Journey of a Goddess Margazhi Performance for 50th Year (Golden Jubilee) Kartik Fine Arts, Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai and at MEDAI – The Stage, Margazhi Festival, Bengaluru – January 2025
“Guruguham” at Kukke Shri Subrahmanya Devasthana, Karnataka
“Lila – The Divine Play” – a presentation touring at Chennai, Coimbatore, Bengaluru and Mysuru at prestigious venues.
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.