Kousalya Nivas

🪔 About

Dr. Kousalya Nivas is an acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent, choreographer, and visionary educator from Karnataka, India. Her illustrious career spans over 35 years, during which she has delivered more than 1,000 stage performances, showcasing her creative vision, expressive presentation, and innovative choreography. Her journey in Bharatanatyam commenced at the tender age of four under the tutelage of Guru Kalaimamani Smt. Revathy Muthuswamy. She further honed her artistry by delving into the study of Karanas under Dr. Guru Anuradha Vikranth and specializing in Nattuvangam under Guru Shri Ramamoorthy Sriganesh. Kousalya Nivas is the Co-Founder, Guru, and Artistic Director of M.S. Naatyakshetra, a premier Bharatanatyam institution located in Bengaluru. She established the academy in 2012 alongside her husband, Shri Nivas Venkataramanan, with the aim of nurturing art and culture. M.S. Naatyakshetra is renowned for its blend of tradition, creativity, and discipline, and has mentored over 500 students, imparting classical training rooted in the Tanjore style. Dr. Nivas holds an M.F.A. in Bharatanatyam from Annamalai University, Chidambaram, and has been conferred an Honorary Doctorate with the title "Bharatiya Natya Visaradha" by International Vanguard University, Chicago, USA, in recognition of her contributions to the arts. She transitioned from a career in IT at Wipro to dedicate herself fully to her passion for dance. She has staged over 700 performances across India and Dubai and has produced numerous dance productions, including "Thiruppavai" and "Ramapriya TulsiDas". Awards & Honours: Mahadevapura Ratna, SIWAA award, Bharatiya Natya Visaradha (Honorary Doctorate).