Amritanjali School of Bharatanatyam

This Women’s Day feels especially meaningful. I’m truly grateful to be featured in Times of India (Pune Times - Women's Day special) on 8th of March, and to see my journey with Bharatanatyam shared in the newspaper.

For over four decades, Bharatanatyam has been more than a dance to me - it has been a path of discovery. Through movement, I have explored the connections between the body, sacred geometry, temple architecture, and cosmic energy. What began as passion gradually became a journey of teaching, research, and reflection.

With my book Unlocking Cosmic Power through Bharatanatyam, I hope to continue sharing this deeper understanding of dance as both art and philosophy.

Today, I celebrate every woman who follows her calling with dedication and courage 🪷

Dear Friends,
Amritanjali Festival of Classical Dance was featured on Narthaki.com the largest portal for Classical dancers. Please click on the link and read -
https://narthaki.com/info/rev26/rev3594.html

Cheers😊
Shashikala Ravi

Narthaki - Gateway to the world of dance Narthaki - Gateway to the world of dance

AMRITANJALI FESTIVAL OF CLASSICAL DANCE - 5TH OCTOBER 2025
(Written and contributed by Amrita Ravi, Founder and Lead Designer, Studio Śra, Pune)

This year Amritanjali School of Bharatanatyam celebrated 25 years of establishment in Pune and hosted a grand celebration with AMRITANJALI FESTIVAL OF CLASSICAL DANCE, which was held on 5th October at Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hall, Camp, Pune. The festival saw another benchmark this year, with a book release by Dr. Shashikala Ravi (authored by her), titled-

UNLOCKING COSMIC POWER
through Bharatanatyam
DANCE • ENERGY • ŚIVA • ŚIVALIṄGA

The release took place in the presence of Sangeet Natak Academy awardees Guru Dr. Sucheta Bhide Chapekar, Guru Smt. Shama Bhate and Guru Dr. Nandkishore Kapote. First Guru Suvarna Bag conducted an interview with Dr. Ravi regarding the book. Shashikala Ravi talked about what led her to write a book with such an interesting and unusual title. There after, the book release took place by the three renowned Guests of Honour.

The book is a visually captivating and deeply researched work exploring the relationship between Bharatanaṭyam, Cosmic energy, Cosmic Shiva and temple architecture. Through more than 180 colour photographs, ‘Unlocking Cosmic Power through Bharatanāṭyam’ reveals how Classical dance postures, ancient temples and sculptures embody the energy of the Cosmos and the Divine dance of Lord Shiva as Nataraja. Along with a personal journey and insight into Bharatanaṭyam, the book connects the temple iconography, 108 Karanas and the metaphysical concept of Shivalinga as manifestations of spiritual power. It bridges scholarly insight and artistic vision, offering dancers, researchers, and connoisseurs a new way to experience divine energy through movement and sacred form.

It is a 330 pages, premium book, authored & published by Dr. Shashikala Ravi, design and layout by Mr. Parag Pimpale (Bookmark publications), printed at Shripad Printers, Pune

Photographs of this event held on 5th Oct. are contributed by Shri Eknath Joshi.

Dear Friends,
As you all know we celebrated the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Amritanjali School of Bharatanatyam, in Pune. I started the Amritanjali School in the year 2000, after relocating to Pune. It has been a great journey in the beautiful, rich, cultural city of Pune which absorbed me into its cultural scene with a lot of warmth.
On 20th April I had organised AN EVENING OF BHARATANATYAM by the students and myself, as a part of the AMRITANJALI FESTIVAL. This evening had been dedicated to MAHAVISHNU - THE SUPREME PURUSHA. The program was live with accompanying musicians DR. Shashikala Ravi (Nattuvangam), Shri Sivaprasad NN (Vocal), Shri S. Shankaranarayanan(Mridangam), Shri Bharata Raj(Flute). Nattuvangam for me was done by my senior student Dr. Karthika Prasad.
Some of my dance choreographies were showcased by the students of Amritanjali.
My senior students Rhea Thomas, Dr. Karthika Prasad, Dakshata Joshi and Smriti Kaushik presented DASHAVATARAM in Ragamalika set to Adi Talam, a masterpiece composed by Shri Dandayudapani Pillai.
The second presentation was SHRI RAM KATHA by the younger girls Reeva Shetty, Saptaparna Chakraborty, Chahat Bellara, Tejal Banahatti, Shanaya Sebastian, Maitreyi Gorde and Tanisi Dey.
The third presentation was by me. I presented a heart rendering composition of Maharaja Swathi Tirunal in Ragam Revagupti to Mishra Chapu Talam dedicated to Lord Krishna.
IN THIS POST I AM SHARING PHOTOGRAPHS FROM DASHAVATARAM PRESENTATION.
The Chief Guest during the program was Shri Sudarshan Shetty from ICCR Pune. The Guests of Honour were Guru Smt. Pramadwara Kittur and Guru Smt. Suvarna Bag. Very honoured that they graced the event.
Am very grateful to Shri Vinit Ekbote for sharing the photographs
The photographs from the other presentations will soon follow.

Today is the 2nd day of Silver Jubilee celebrations of Amritanjali School of Bharatanatyam in Pune. Last week on the 20th we had a spectacular display of my choreographies based on Mahavishnu the Supreme Purusha. I will be sharing the photographs soon.
Today evening I am hosting the 2nd part of
AN EVENING OF BHARATANATYAM &FOLK DANCES which will again be with live accompaniments where the students will be presenting Stories of Ganesha, blissful Margam items and Folk dances of Bharat. The program is open to all. Entry is free. Please do come and grace the ocassion.
Date - 26th April 2025
Time 5.30 pm onwards
Venue - Amritanjali Dance Studio, Viman Nagar, Pune
Accompanying artists - Dr. Shashikala Ravi Nattuvangam, Shri Siva Prasad N N Vocals, Shri S. Mumbai Shankaranarayanan Mridangam, Shri Bharat Raj Flute

Dear Friends and Rasikas,
This year Amritanjali School of Bharatanatyam is celebrating 25 years of establishment in Pune. So it is big big celebrations for us (SilverJubilee). As a part of the celebrations, tomorrow, the 20th of April I have organised An Evening of Bharatanatyam with live accompaniments in the Amritanjali Studio. Our theme for the evening is Mahavishnu - The Supreme Purusha. We will be presenting compositions highlighting this aspect of Mahavishnu.
Kindly grace the ocassion with your presence. Looking forward to seeing all of you.
Date - 20th April 2025
Timing 6 pm onwards
Venue - Amritanjali Dance Studio, Viman Nagar, Pune
Accompanying artists - Vocal : Shri Siva Prasad N N
Mridangam : Shri S. Shankarnarayanan
Flute : Shri Bharat Raj
Nattuvangam : Dr. Shashikala Ravi and Karthika Prasad
Chief Guest - Shri Sudarshan Shetty, ICCR, Pune
Guests of Honour - Guru Smt. Pramadwara Kittur (Prama Kittur ) and Guru Smt. Suvarna Bag

Dear Friends,
Am sharing some photographs of my students Reeva Shetty and Saptaparna Chakraborty 's performance at the Pune International Dance Festival, PIFD, held on 9th March at Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan hall, Senapati Bapat Road. Thank you so much PIFD team for giving them this wonderful opportunity.