Sheela Ramanath

🪔 About

Sheela Ramanath is a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, specifically Bharatanatyam, and the Artistic Director of the Kalavaridhi Center for Performing Arts. Her journey in Bharatanatyam began with initiation by Guru Sridevi Thirumalai, followed by a decade of rigorous training. Her profound interest led her to further tutelage under Guru B Bhanumati, the Director of Nrityakalamandiram. Sheela was a selected member of Guru Bhanumati's renowned Bharatanjali troupe, which pioneered group choreography in Bharatanatyam and was recognized as the "Best Bharatanatyam Dance Troupe" by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). As a soloist and part of Bharatanjali, she performed extensively across India, the UK, and the US. She holds a Masters Degree in Bharatanatyam with distinction and is a former full member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), London, UK. In 2001, Sheela founded the Kalavaridhi Center for Performing Arts in Chantilly, Virginia, with the mission to promote Bharatanatyam and provide exceptional training. Over 24 years, she has trained more than 1000 students, many of whom have completed their Arangetrams under her guidance and performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival. Sheela is known for her innovative teaching methodology and choreographies that celebrate the union of dance and music. She also serves as an Academic Lead of the Dance and Community Research Institute at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Dance, and has been a judge for numerous dance competitions. Awards & Honours: Fellowship, 19th Annual Del Kieffner Award (2026), Natya Kalasree.