Classes are held during the academic year late August through early June, at various skill levels in a group format. These classes are conducted in a professional studio setting. Through the year, students are trained on technique, dance discipline, and also the cultural backdrop that contexts this art. Students are introduced to complex items and traditional repertoire as they progress through different levels. The intent is that students learn the art in all its richness that demands both body dynamics and narrative skills. New beginner groups are usually added in fall.

Students, after a few years of training, are offered summer workshops, with focus on intensive learning over a period of 1-2 week duration. They are also exposed to other master practitioners and professional artistes through these intensive learning environments. Dancers at higher skill levels get opportunity to audition for Bharatam productions.

Bharatam’s hallmark is the strong foundation it builds in each dancer through personal attention, and a discerning eye for quality.

With this in mind, students are exposed not only to the dance curriculum, but also to the rich cultural context of this ancient art, to nurture a holistic awareness and appreciation, as artistes and connoisseurs.

Guru Vanitha is a multiple-time recipient of the Master Artiste award for Bharatanatyam from the Illinois Arts Council.

Vanitha’s deep-rooted lineage is grounded in Kalakshetra, the venerable dance institution in Chennai, India and further nurtured by illustrious Gurus Kalaimamani Indra Rajan, and Kalaimamani Dr. Saraswati. The energetic Pandanallur style, richly imbibed from her Gurus, blended with her innate eye for grace and nuances, defines Vanitha’s style of dance today.

Vanitha’s performance and dedication to teaching this ancient art of Bharatanatyam have earned her honor grants from Govt. of Tamilnadu, India, as well as the Master Artiste Award from State of Illinois, multiple times. Vanitha was honored as ‘Acharya Kala Vipanchee’, an award for excellence in arts education, by Vipanchee (Chennai, India) a trust established by the renowned artiste Padmavibhushan Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna.

As a firm believer in the continuity of this classical tradition, Vanitha strives to kindle in her students the joy of self-expression through the medium of Bharatanatyam.

Bharatam’s pursues dance excellence in this ancient living art, for the enrichment and enjoyment of community. This is done through performances, dance education, presentations, and outreach programs. Bharatam regularly presents its dancers at its showcase events, and original choreographic productions. Bharatam dancers help preserve and perpetuate this ancient art through performances at various forums including annual showcases, corporate shows, creative workshops, cultural events, and community outreach programs in greater Chicago.

To that end, Bharatam and its students are well-recognized ambassadors of our rich culture.

The fundamentals, technique, and theories of Bharatanatyam are detailed in Natyashatra, a 3000 years old treatise. The art form is a confluence of two complementary dance elements – Nritta and Abhinaya. Nritta is abstract or pure dance, composed of rhythmic improvisations. Abhinaya refers to narrative or expressive dance, which is stylized interpretation of poetry through mime.

This art is known for its story telling technique that draws from the rich culture heritage of India, as well as its spirituality. Bharatanatyam explores and interprets human experience and its myriad emotions through the confluence of music, dance and mime. The ultimate aim of this art is to evoke rasa or aesthetic experience in the dancer and the audience.

Bharatam is proud to be a gateway for this rich and eloquent classical art.