Chakrika Uttarker’s
Nritya
Samarpanam
Saturday, August 2nd 2025
About the Guru / Nattuvanar
Dr. Praveena Vajja is the owner and director of Natyom Dance Academy. She is the Disciple of Guru Natyacharya Shri Avasarala Rukmaji Rao, who is a disciple of Padma Shri Adyar K. Lakshman in Bharatanatyam Kalakshetra style and trained in Kuchipudi from Kuchipudi Kalakshetra established by Guru. Sri. Padma Bhushan. Dr. Vempati Chinasatyam Garu.
Dr. Praveena specializes in teaching Bharatanatyam, and also has extensive training in Kuchipudi and Kathak. With over 40 years of experience in learning, performing, and teaching dance, she brings deep expertise and passion to every class.
Natyom Dance Academy’s core curriculum focuses on building a strong foundation in Bharatanatyam, which enables students to easily learn other forms of Indian classical and modern dance. Students at Natyom graduate by taking certification exams in four levels through SAMPADA SiliconAndhra, culminating in performing their arangetrams.
Dr Praveena Vajja is on the Board of trustees of Sankara Nethralaya and the co-founder of Paving Hope, a non-profit organization that supports charitable causes through fine arts.
Dr. Praveena Vajja also specializes in presenting dance productions to convey storylines combining both ancient and modern principles in a way to make the Bharatanatyam vocabulary more accessible to the modern day audience.
Dr. Praveena Vajja founded Natyom Dance Academy after graduating from Andra Medical College MBBS, passing the USMLEs, and ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) exams. Although certified to be a doctor, Smt Praveena Vajja chose to follow her passion for dance and began Natyom Dance Academy whilst using her medical expertise to support her husband, Dr. Manohar Vajja with his medical practice.
About the Shishya
Chakrika Uttarker is currently enrolled in 12th grade for the upcoming school year at Texas Online Preparatory School. Demonstrating an exceptional academic drive, she is set to graduate from high school early at the age of 16. Chakrika’s journey in Bharatanatyam began at the age of five, when she first met her Guru, Praveena Vajja, while studying at TKG Academy Gurukul, ISKCON Dallas. Since then, she has been dedicatedly training under her guru at Natyom Dance Academy, where she has developed a deep appreciation for the Kalakshetra style of this classical art form, known for its precision, grace, and spiritual depth.
Outside of dance, Chakrika learnt Classical Carnatic music with Harmonium (Piano), Mridangam and Viola. She is passionate about outdoor adventures like rock climbing, zipline, swimming, biking and skating. In her School she does peer tutoring. She has trained Mridangam for her peer group. She also does services at “FOOD FOR LIFE” where the food is distributed to Homeless Shelters. She also does various services at Radha Kalachandji Temple.
In her free time, Chakrika enjoys crochet work, graphic designing, doing some creative activities with friends, doing kirtans, spending quality time in devotion, family and friends.
Accompanists
Nattuvangam
Smt. Induvadana Malli
About Smt. Induvadana Malli
Induvadana, an exponent of Bharatanatyam, was fortunate to be born into a family of highly accomplished artists. It is no surprise that she inherited her love for dance and music from childhood, nurtured in a richly creative and artistic environment.
She is the daughter of Guru Padmashri Adyar K. Lakshman, a highly acclaimed dance guru, choreographer, nattuvanar, composer, and director of the internationally recognized institute of fine arts, “Bharatha Choodamani.”
Training and Artistic Excellence
Trained rigorously in both Bharatanatyam and Nattuvangam, her thorough foundation is evident in her well-executed rhythmic patterns that shine through her scintillating nritta (pure dance) and her highly emotive and sensitive abhinaya (expression).
She has also been closely associated with:
Her uncle Shri K Rama Rao and aunty Smt Nagamani Srinivasa Rao, both well-known dance gurus.
Her uncle Shri K Gopinath, an acclaimed mridangam player.
Performances
Induvadana has performed in various dance programmes organized by Bharatha Choodamani and numerous cultural organizations in India and abroad, earning appreciation for her dedication to tradition and artistic brilliance.
Teaching and Legacy
Apart from her dancing career, she is a dedicated teacher of Bharatanatyam and Nattuvangam. She conducts Bharatanatyam recitals for her students in the Kalakshetra style, known for its traditional purity, grace, and vigor. She also imparts training in Nattuvangam, following the unique style of her illustrious father, Guru Shri Adyar K. Lakshman.
She further promotes the art form by teaching Bharatanatyam as a fitness program for adults, making the classical dance accessible and enjoyable to a broader audience.
Vocalist
Smt. Akshaya Ramanathan
About Smt. Akshaya Ramanathan
Smt. Akshaya Ramanathan hails from a musical family and received her initial training from her mother, A. Jayanthi. Under her father’s encouragement, she decided to pursue music full-time. After moving to Texas with her husband, she has continued to advance her musical journey.
Akshaya went on to learn from the Carnatica Brothers and Smt. Padma Sandilyan. Currently, she is receiving advanced training under Smt. Prarthana Sai Narasimhan (disciple of Smt. Mani Krishna Swamy & Sri Chingleput Ranganathan) and Sri Chembai Srinivasan (Bharatanatyam vocal accompaniment).
She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Carnatic Music from Annamalai University, Chidambaram, where she also completed her Carnatic Vocal Grades.
Akshaya has served as a Music Lecturer at Sri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women, Chennai, for four years, where she trained more than 500 students. With over 10 years of teaching experience, she has been imparting Carnatic music education to students in India and abroad.
She has performed Carnatic vocal concerts and provided vocal accompaniment for Bharatanatyam recitals at The Music Academy and various sabhas in India and the USA, always with her gurus’ blessings.
In addition to her performances, Akshaya has also contributed as a playback singer in albums, jingles, and films (Tamil and Kannada), and has collaborated with eminent Carnatic musicians and music directors.
Mridangam
Sri. Ganapathi Ranganathan
About Sri. Ganapathi Ranganathan
Ganapathi is a highly accomplished and versatile percussionist, captivating audiences through his exceptional skill, creativity, and rhythmic mastery. Ganapathi’s musical journey started under the tutelage of Sri. Vasudeva Rao & Sri. T.N Shashikumar in Bangalore, India. He is known for his dynamic performances and the ability to adapt to diverse musical styles. His deep understanding of rhythm, combined with a passion for innovation, allows him to seamlessly blend traditional techniques with contemporary beats. He pursued advanced lessons under the guidance of Sri. Patri Satish Kumar, further expanding his expertise. Whether performing as a solo artist, collaborating with ensembles, or contributing to studio projects, Ganapathi delivers powerful and memorable performances that resonate with audiences across the globe.
Flute
Kum. Sindhu Gudimella
About Kum. Sindhu Gudimella
Sindhu Gudimella is a gifted Carnatic vocalist, violinist, flutist, and bassoon player who bridges Indian and Western classical traditions.
She completed her Flute Arangetram in 2024 and Bassoon Arangetram in 2025, and actively supports community arangetrams.
As Co-President of GEMHS (www. gemhs.org) she leads youth in arts, music, service, culture, and leadership.
Violin
Chi. Shankar Umamahesh
About Chi. Shakar Umamahesh
Shankar Umamahesh is a versatile artist — a rapper, singer, songwriter, and a classically trained violinist. He is a current junior at the University of Texas at Dallas studying Computer Science. Shankar’s musical journey began under Guru Sri. Raghavendra Alankar and later under the guidance of his father, Sri. Umamahesh Iyer. Deeply rooted in Carnatic tradition, Shankar has performed in numerous concerts across the DFW area and teaches violin alongside his father at their music academy, K School of Violin. Outside the classical stage, Shankar is also the co-founder of his band, Tamil Nadudes, which has gained over 50,000 views online. His talent has also caught the attention of Indian rap icon Hanumankind. Recently, he was also selected as a finalist in a rap competition hosted by freestyle rapper Harry Mack, where he delivered a standout performance in front of 2500+ people.
Program Details
Tisra Alarippu
Talam: Tisra Eka
Choreographer: Padma Bhushan Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale
Jatiswaram
Ragam: Vasantha
Talam: Roopaka
Composer: Tanjore Quartet
Choreographer: Padma Bhushan Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale
Gokulambudi Shabdam
Ragam: Ragamalika
Talam: Kandachapu
Composer: Muttuswami Dikshitar
Choreographer: Padma Bhushan Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale
Keerthanam Srimannarayana
Ragam: Bowli
Talam: Adi
Composer: Shri Annamacharya
Choreographer: Natyom Dance Academy
Thillana Kedara Gowla
Ragam: kedaragowla
Talam: Adi
Composer: Muttuswami Dikshitar
Choreographer: Padma Bhushan Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale
Mangalam
The Conclusion
Gallery
Invitation
Mrs. Aradhya Kishore DD (Archana) &
Mr. Ananta Gopal Das (Anil)
along with
Natyom Dance Academy
would like to cordially invite you and your family for
Chakrika Uttarker’s Nritya Samarpanam
Disciple of Guru Smt. Praveena Vajja
Date & Time
August 2nd 2025 (Saturday)
5:30 PM – 7PM
(Followed by Dinner Prasadam)
Seating Starts at 5:00 PM
Venue
Radha Kalachandji Temple
5430 Gurley Avenue
Dallas, TX 75223
