Smt. Kalyani Shanmugarajah

🪔 About

Kalyani is a truly dedicated exponent of Bharatanatyam. She became a well-accomplished dancer and performer through her training at Kalakshetra, the leading cultural institution for fine arts in India. She is fortunate to have received tutelage from Smt. Sarada Hoffman, and received direction from the late Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale while participating in the Kalakshetra dance dramas. Upon graduating from Kalakshetra in 1974, she extensively toured and performed in Sri Lanka along with other Kalakshetra graduates. Kalyani has a relentless love for Bharatanatyam and has dedicated her life to the propagation of this divine classical art. She initially taught at numerous institutions in Sri Lanka and then after moving to Los Angeles, founded the Shiva Jyothi School of Dance in North Hills California, in 1990. In 1996, with the support of Sri Bhagavatalu Seetarama Sarma of India, the school was renamed as the Kalapeetham School of Dance. Kalyani has dedicated the past 50+ years of her life to training, molding, and inspiring her students. Over the years she has conducted over 75 Arangetrams.