Nivedita Prabhu
Nivedita Prabhu is an excellent dancer who portrays accuracy in rhythm and flawless grace. Nivedita has been dancing Bharatanatyam for over 15 years. She underwent training with Gurus Sudha and Guruji Prasanna Kasthuri. She completed her Arangetram under the guidance of Karnataka Kalashri Prasanna Kasthuri at the historic city of Sri Rangam in Tamil Nadu, India.
Nivedita Prabhu has performed in reputed festivals such as “Shantala Vaibhava” in Bengaluru, “AKKA Sammelana” in Dallas, and “American Natya Festival” in St. Louis. She has performed in dance dramas, such as Swamy Ayyappa, Dashavatara, Samarpan, and many more. In 2018, she was a finalist in the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition and competed in other college competitions. She is a recent graduate of the University of Missouri and will start medical school in July.
Aditi Sriram
Aditi Sriram is a true disciple of Bharathanatyam. Aditi always aimed to perfect the dance movements as humanly as possible. She loved to dance through the beats, moods, and melodies. She started to attend Guruji Prasanna Kasthuri's dance classes when she was 5 years of age. With more than 14 years of dancing experience, she excels in presenting both Nritta and Abhinaya. She attained the foundations of the art form through a disciplined approach to dance and performing. Aditi is known for her grace and expressive storytelling abilities. She performed in various Bharathanatyam productions, including "Ashtalakshmi", "Samarpan", Dashavataram", "Swamy Ayyappa Charitham", and Aurobindo's Savithri. She traveled with Soorya Dance Company and performed in Richmond, Virginia; Austin and Dallas, Texas; and in Chicago cities.
Aditi presented her Bharathanayam Arangetram in Saint Louis in August of 2024.
Shreenidhi Senthilnathan
Shreenidhi is a natural Bharathanatyam dancer whose devout mind adds depth to her art. For Shree, dance expresses herself to the fullest and brings her mind and body through emotions closer to the heart than mere words. She was identified for her unique talent and given solo opportunities since the beginning days of her learning.
Shreenidhi started Bharatanatyam under the guidance of Guru Prasanna Kasturi at the age of 7. Shreenidhi performed in many grand projects of Soorya Performing Arts, such as Defeat of Death based on Aurobindo's "Savithri" and "Swamy Ayyappa" - based on the Hindu deity - Ayyappa's biography. She danced in Dashavataram, Ashtalakshmi. She took pride in dancing "Samarpan" as they brought connections to historical facts of India.
Shreenidhi presented a beautiful Bharatanatyam arangetram in September, 2023 in Saint Louis, MO.
Shreenidhi was recognized and honored with an apprenticeship from the Missouri Traditional Arts Council in 2023.
Hritika Malugu
Hritika Malugu has been dancing Bharathanatyam for 11 years. She accomplished her Bharatanatyam Arangetram from Soorya Dance School under Guru Prasanna Kasthuri in September 2024. She has participated in significant events in Saint Louis, Missouri, such as the Kumbhabhishekam of the Hindu Temple. She was invited to perform in several reputed organizations such as Ohmkaram, Abhinaya, and Soorya Performing Arts. She has participated in significant events such as the American Natya Festival, the Indian Independence Festival, and the Onam Festivals.
Hritika's contributions are immense, as her work in reputed dance dramas such as Swamy Ayyappa Charitham and Savithri: Defeat of Death - has captured the attention of dance lovers. She has performed in other productions of Soorya Performing Arts, such as – Ashtalakshmi and SAMARPAN – 2023. She teaches at Soorya Bharathanatyam School.
Sona Prabhakaran
Sona Prabhakaran’s deep interest in the art of Bharathanatyam started at an early age in the remote town of Kerala, where the air of Kathakali and Mohiniattam breezed through. She learned this during her childhood while pursuing a professional education as an engineer. After she immigrated to the United States of America, she settled in St. Louis, Missouri. She re-emerged as a serious student under the guidance of Kalayogi Prasanna Ji. She was deeply dedicated to training and performing the art of Bharathanatyam for over a decade. She has participated in various productions, including Swamy Ayyappa Charitham, Ashtalakshmi, and Mohini Bhasmasura. She has also performed at the American Natya Festival and Natya Idol.
Sona has choreographed many dance numbers for various organizations. She is an active community member and has served as President and Secretary of the nonprofit organization Ohmkaram.
Sudha Venkatachalam
Sudha Venkatachalam is a passionate Bharatanatyam dancer trained early in dance in her hometown of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Her training in India helped her return to dance at Soorya Dance Company. Sudha joined professionally in 2021. Her impressive work has promoted her to major dance productions, such as Swamy Ayyappa and The Great Student – Ekalavya. She was also part of the Mid-American Story Telling project for the 15th American Natya Festival. Sudha has performed in cities such as Richmond, San Antonio, Austin, and other places nationwide. She has performed in prestigious events like the 2024 AKKA conference and the Natya Kala Conference of 2024.
Professionally, she holds bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics and works as a Data Analyst for a prestigious school. Sudha's dedication to her art and profession makes her an inspiring and multifaceted individual.
Diya Arun
Diya Arun is an accomplished dancer from Tamil Nadu, the birthplace of the illustrious Bharatanatyam dance style. She began her Bharatanatyam training at six, learning from the esteemed Guruji Prasanna Kasthuri. She has mastered numerous significant dance pieces, showcasing works from renowned composers such as Uttukkadu Ventasubba Iyer, Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, Mysore Veena Seshanna, and Puranadaradasaru. Diya has performed in local organizations in St. Louis. She participated in various dance dramas, including "Samarpan", and "Ashta Lakshmi”. Her performance in the legend of Bhasmasura at the 14th American Natya Festival was a notable highlight of her career. In addition to her Bharatanatyam expertise, Diya is expanding her repertoire by exploring ballet, jazz, and tap dancing. She is a dedicated and versatile dancer, committed to mastering diverse dance forms.
Kirthi Ramesh
Kirthi Ramesh is an all-observing performing art student. She enjoys every bit of the classical dance of Bharatanatyam. She worked hard to find her niche in Abhinaya and excellent Nritta. She has been the backbone of several Soorya Dance Company dance productions. She dances with post-arangetram students. Her excellent dance was identified by the peer group, and she was allowed into Company Dancers.
Kirthi is an ambitious and energetic individual with a passion for dance. She started learning Bharatnatyam from the age of seven under the guidance of Guru Prasanna Kasturi. She is passionate about pursuing the art along with her academic journey. Kirthi has performed in many productions, including Ashtalakshmi, Samarpan, Dasavatharam, Swami Ayyappa Charitham, and more, each showcasing her love for dance. She has participated in the American Natya Idol and performed at various temples and events in St. Louis. She toured with a dance company performing on the East Coast and in the Texas regions in 2024. She is planning to perform her Bharatanatyam arangetram in August 2025.
Ishita Sanghavi
Ishita Sanghavi is a devoted Bharathanatyam dancer. She has been in Bharatanatyam training for the last 9 years under the expert guidance of Guruji Prasanna Kasthuri. A quiet worker has a knack to understand and assimilating critical dance moves with ease. She has performed in local organizations in St. Louis such as HTCC, Abhinaya, and many more.
Ishita participated in the productions of Soorya Dance Company such as Samarpan, Ashtalakshmi, Dasavatharam, Swami Ayyappa, Savitri – Defeat of Death, and Ekalavya. She traveled with a dance company to perform in Texas in 2024.
Ishita is a dedicated and versatile dancer committed to mastering diverse dance forms.
Ishita enjoys baking, playing the piano, and reading outside of dance.
Ishita is planning Bharatanatyam Arangetram in August, 2026