Anuradha Ambalavanar

🪔 About

Anuradha Ambalavanar is a Bharatanatyam and Carnatic Music teacher based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Her journey in classical arts began at the early age of six when she was introduced to Bharatanatyam. After eleven years of rigorous training, she performed her Arangetram on May 25, 1989, at the Tower Hall Trust Fund Arankam in Colombo, marking her transition to a full-fledged dancer. Beyond dance, Anuradha also pursued extensive training in Carnatic music, studying both vocal and instrumental forms, specifically the Veena. She successfully completed standardized examinations from the North Ceylon Oriental Music Society, achieving distinctions and first divisions in Bharatanatyam (Grades 1-5), Vocal Carnatic Music (Grades 1-4), and Veena (Grades 1-3). She has further honed her skills under the tutelage of Vivek Kinra, the Artistic Director of the New Zealand Academy of Bharatanatyam and Mudra Dance Company in Wellington. With over two decades of experience teaching local students, Anuradha Ambalavanar founded the Bharatanatyam Group of Christchurch in 2010. The academy's mission is to inspire individuals through the classical arts of Bharatanatyam dance and Carnatic music, fostering a supportive and enriching environment for students while celebrating cultural heritage and promoting personal and artistic growth. Anuradha has a notable performance career, including solo presentations before the Governor-General of New Zealand at the opening of the New Zealand South Asia Centre at the University of Canterbury and at Citizenship Ceremonies in Christchurch. She also delivered a one-hour solo performance at the Body Festival in 2011. Her musical contributions include recording Carnatic music with Australian musicians and performing at the inauguration of the temple tower (Kumbabishekam) at the Shiva Vishnu Mandir in Canberra, Australia. Under her guidance, the Bharatanatyam Group of Christchurch has nurtured numerous students, providing them with opportunities to showcase their art at various cultural events for organizations such as the Canterbury Tamil Society, Kerala Societies, Fiji Indian Societies, and the Indian Social & Cultural Club, as well as public functions like NZ Day and Colours of India. Her students have also participated in significant events like the Body Festivals' 'Satvika' (2012), 'Nadananjali' (2013), and 'Light of Bharatam' (2014). Notable students include Thanoshika Koneswaran, Nethira Ravishankar, and Ragavi Meiyalaghan.