ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
 | Traditional Skill/Art: Nattuvangam Years Won: 2025 Contact Information: Phone: 408-707-9687 Email: sweta.natyam@gmail.com |
Sweta Ravisankar is a Bharatanatyam and Nattuvangam artist based in Beaverton, OR, where she runs Sarada Kala Nilayam (SKN). With over 30 years of experience, Ravisankar is trained by renowned Gurus Roja Kannan (Kalakshetra Tradition) and Padmini Radhakrishnan (Dandayudapani Pillai Tradition) in Bharatanatyam. Her father, Mridangam Guru S. Ravisankar (Palghat Mani Iyer Tradition), deeply influenced her rhythmic skills for Nattuvangam. Coming from a family steeped in the Guru-Shishya tradition, Ravisankar developed her expertise in these art forms through rigorous training in India and continuing now over online sessions with her Gurus. She holds a Masters in Bharatanatyam and has taught for 17 years, focusing on rhythmic precision, storytelling, and emotional expression. She has taught students across India and the United States and has performed over 150 solo recitals in prestigious venues across North America and India, winning titles and awards from prestigious institutions and appreciation from the media.
APPRENTICE BIOGRAPHY
Image  | Arshia Rajeshnarayanan Traditional Skill/Art: Nattuvangam Years Won: 2025 |
Arshia Rajeshnarayanan is an Indian-American born and raised in Portland by hardworking immigrant parents. Rajeshnarayanan’s parents allowed her the freedom to explore her cultural heritage on her own terms. This gave her the opportunity to blend her Indian roots with her American upbringing in a way that feels meaningful and authentic to her.
Rajeshnarayanan began learning Bharatanatyam at the age of 7. Over time, with the guidance of her teachers, she gained a deeper understanding of the narratives and cultural significance behind the art form, which helped her appreciate her heritage on a much deeper level.
After completing her Bharatanatyam Arangetram in 2019, Rajeshnarayanan pursued the study of Nattuvangam, the rhythmic accompaniment performed with cymbals, under the guidance of Sweta Ravisankar. This tradition is essential for maintaining rhythm and guiding dancers through complex choreographies. Learning Nattuvangam has enhanced her technical skills and deepened her understanding of Bharatanatyam, making this cultural practice an essential part of her life and identity.
Q&A WITH THE MENTOR ARTIST
Bharatanatyam, a classical South Indian dance form with over 2,000 years of history, originated in temples as a devotional offering and later evolved into a stage performance art. It remains a vital part of cultural festivals and ceremonies, and formal performances preserving the rich heritage of South Indian traditions. Historically, Nattuvanars were esteemed dance masters from hereditary families. They specialized in teaching and conducting Bharatanatyam performances, and leading the chinna melam (dance ensembles). Today, a Nattuvangam artist is a practitioner skilled in the art of nattuvangam, which involves the rhythmic recitation of syllables and the playing of cymbals (talam) to guide and accompany a dancer and conduct the orchestra. This role is crucial in maintaining the intricate timing and coordination between the dance movements and the underlying musical composition. My approach to teaching Nattuvangam emphasizes understanding rhythm, developing coordination, and guiding dancers with precision.
Teaching Nattuvangam and Bharatanatyam is crucial for passing down this cultural legacy to the next generation. It helps my students, many of whom are part of the Indian and South Asian diaspora, connect with their heritage. Through this art form, they not only learn discipline and creativity but also build a deeper understanding of their roots. By teaching these traditions, I aim to preserve and promote the values of Bharatanatyam within the broader community, ensuring it remains a living, vibrant practice.
Excellence in Bharatanatyam and Nattuvangam is defined by precision, rhythm, and the ability to convey emotions through movement. I have received several titles and awards, most notably the Senior Scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Since relocating to the United States in 2012, I have been honored with grants from prestigious organizations such as the Oregon Arts Commission (OAC), Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC), Hillsboro Arts and Culture Council (HACC), and Beaverton Arts Commission, all of which have enabled me to present my work and pursue my passion for both performing and teaching Bharatanatyam.
2025 is the first year Sweta Ravisankar has been given a Traditional Arts Apprenticeship award.
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