Aparna Raghavan

🪔 About

Aparna Raghavan is a respected Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher, currently based in Geneva, Switzerland, where she founded and directs the AEKA Academy, Institution of Fine Arts. Her artistic journey began at the age of seven, when she was initiated into Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of the esteemed Gurus Padma Bhushan Shanta and V.P. Dhananjayan, with whom she trained for over 15 years. Aparna is also the daughter of the versatile Indian musician, Sri. T.V. Gopalakrishnan. Throughout her career, Aparna Raghavan has performed Bharatanatyam extensively, both in India and internationally, and has participated in and toured with her gurus' dance productions. In 2009, she established AEKA Academy in Geneva with the mission to promote Indian and local culture and art forms, regularly organizing events to showcase Indian music and dance by local talents. The academy's training methodology emphasizes not only technical proficiency but also a deep understanding of dance and music theory, mastery of Abhinaya, and the subtle nuances of Bharatanatyam. For 26 years, Aparna Raghavan also pursued a corporate career as an executive with Procter & Gamble. She retired from this role in 2022 to fully dedicate herself to her passions for dance, yoga, and travel. In the same year, she completed a 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course and a 100-hour Kids Yoga Training, both affiliated with Yoga International Alliance in Bali. She now focuses entirely on AEKA Academy, offering in-person and online courses in Natyam and Yoga for both adults and children.