Lavanya Raghuraman

🪔 About

Lavanya Raghuraman is a distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer, vocalist, and violinist, recognized for her profound contributions to Indian classical arts. A senior disciple of the esteemed Padma Bhushan Sri V.P. Dhananjayan and Padma Bhushan Smt Shantha Dhananjayan, she underwent rigorous training, culminating in her Arangetram at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai, in 1999. Notably, she was the first Singaporean to perform her Arangetram at this prestigious venue, with Dr. Vyjayanthimala Bali as the Guest of Honour. Her dance education also includes participation in productions under the guidance of Sri C.V. Chandrasekhar and Smt Lakshmi Viswanathan. Raghuraman's career is marked by numerous acclaimed performances across India and Singapore. She has graced leading Sabhas in Chennai and performed at the Natyanjali festival in Chidambaram, including a sacred recital before Lord Nataraja in 2003. Her solo performance "Glorious Traditions" in Singapore in 2001 was met with critical success, as were her choreographic works "Abhinaya Apsaras" and "Shakthi Koothu." Her thematic Bharatanatyam solo, "Neythal - the Continental Shelf," at the Esplanade in Singapore in 2011, and her performance at the ABHAI Pravasi Utsavam in 2019, further highlight her artistic prowess. Reviews in "The Hindu" have consistently praised her performances, including "Nagareshu Kaanchi" in 2005 and her Chennai recitals in 2005-2006. Beyond dance, Lavanya Raghuraman is a multi-talented artist from a rich musical lineage, being the granddaughter of Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. S. Ramanathan. She is an accomplished Carnatic vocalist and a prize-winning violinist, having secured first place in the National Indian Music Competition (Open Category) in 2004 and an earlier win in 1998, both organized by Singapore's National Arts Council. She also won the Radio Corporation of Singapore's "Talentime-1998" for singing. Her versatility extends to theatre, where she played Sita in "Wayang Ramayana." Lavanya Raghuraman is the Artistic Director of Alapana Arts, an institution with branches in Singapore and the USA, where she teaches Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music. She currently trains students at 'alpaana USA' in Albany, New York. Her contributions to the arts were recognized with the prestigious title 'Natya Chudar' by Karthik Fine Arts, Chennai, on January 1, 2009. She holds an MMS degree from Duke University's Business School, having chosen to pursue her passion for the arts full-time after a career in strategy consulting. Awards & Honours: Natya Chudar (2009), First Prize, National Indian Music Competition (Carnatic Violin - Open Category) (2004), First Prize, National Indian Music Competition (Carnatic Violin - Intermediate Category) (1998), First Prize, Radio Corporation of Singapore's Talentime (1998).