Apeksha Niranjan

🪔 About

Apeksha Niranjan is a highly celebrated Bharatanatyam artist from India, recognized as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and cultural ambassador. Born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, she developed an early passion for classical dance, initially studying Kathak before dedicating herself to Bharatanatyam. Her unique heritage, with a Polish paternal grandmother and a Maharashtrian paternal grandfather, has enriched her artistic perspective, fostering an innate openness to diverse cultures. Niranjan received rigorous training under the esteemed gurus Dr. Sucheta Chapekar and Dr. Alka Lajmi, mastering the Thanjavur bani of Bharatanatyam. She holds a Bachelor's Degree (Visharad) and Master's Degree (Alankar) in Bharatanatyam from the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal (ABGMVM), and an advanced diploma from the Nalanda Dance Research Center in Mumbai. Prior to her dance career, she was a Marathi actress, known as Apeksha Kashikar, and a Graded Artist of Doordarshan, experiences that honed her exceptional storytelling and expressive abilities, for which she is often called the “Queen of Expressions.” In 2004, Apeksha Niranjan founded Nrityanjali Performing Arts in Navi Mumbai, a premier Bharatanatyam institute that has trained over 200 students. Her choreographic works include traditional Margam recitals and innovative thematic productions like Nayanam, Yamuna Gatha, Keertan Rang (Bharatanatyam on Marathi Abhangas), Nari Shakti – The Power of Womanhood, and Anubhava – The Experience. She has performed and conducted workshops globally, including in Poland, Italy, the United States, France, Canada, Georgia, Thailand, South Korea, and Sri Lanka, often using dance to bridge cultures and share stories, such as the narrative of Polish orphans rescued during World War II. Awards & Honours: National Best Performer Award, Nritya Shiromani Award, Yuva Kala Ratna Award, Vengi Kala Ratna Award, Nupur Kala Ratna Award, Nataraj Sanman, Nritya Jyoti Title, Natyakala Choodamani Title, Nrityaranjini Title, Nrityashivali Title, Best Choreographer Award.