Nattuvangam - Guru Janaki Sivaraman
Mrs. Janaki Sivaraman, a distinguished disciple of Padmabhushan Dr. Padma Subramanyam, completed her Bharathanatyam training at Nrithyodaya in Chennai, earning the esteemed title of Nrithya Visharadha . As the director of Nrithyashala, founded in 1986 in Baltimore, MD, Janaki has dedicated nearly four decades to nurturing classical dance in the community, marking 2026 as the academy’s 40th year of excellence. Her unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting Bharathanatyam has been recognized by the Governor of Maryland, highlighting her impact both as an artist and a cultural ambassador. In addition to Bharathanatyam, she trained in Kuchipudi under Padmabhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam andKathak under Guru Sri Krishna Kumar, reflecting her versatile mastery across classical Indian dance forms.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in classical arts and music, Janaki carries forward a rich legacy—her aunt and uncle, the late Smt. Janaki and Sri M.G. Ramachandran, were prominent figures in the Tamil film industry, while her grandparents, the late Sri Rajagopal Iyer and Sri Papanasam Sivan, were renowned Tamil scholars and musicians. Under her guidance, Nrithyashala has become a cornerstone of the Baltimore and Washington arts communities, with dancers performing locally and nationally, earning awards and scholarships from prestigious institutions such as the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. Through her teaching and choreography, Janaki instills in her students not only technical excellence but also a deep connection to their cultural and traditional roots, ensuring that the divine art of Bharathanatyam continues to inspire and thrive for generations to come.
Nattuvangam - Dr. Anita Sivaraman
Nadanamamani Dr. Anita Sivaraman is an accomplished Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer whose passion for the art shines through her graceful, soul-stirring abhinaya (expressions) and impeccable command of laya (rhythm). The daughter and disciple of Mrs. Janaki Sivaraman, founder and director of Nrithyashala in Baltimore, Maryland, Anita completed her arangetram at the tender age of 7, marking the beginning of a lifelong dedication to dance. She has trained extensively under leading dancers in both Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi, performing widely across India, Canada, Europe, and the USA, captivating audiences with her artistry and devotion.
Anita’s talent and contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the title “Nadanamamani” for Bharathanatyam by Karthik Fine Arts (Chennai, India) in 2019, “Yuva Kala Vipanchee” by Vipanchee Trust (Chennai, India) in 2019, and “Yuva Kala Bharathi” for Bharathanatyam by Bharat Kalachar (Chennai, India) in 2007. As an undergraduate, she received the “Louis Sudler Arts Prize” from The Johns Hopkins University, honoring her professional-level achievement and long-term dedication to the arts despite being a non-arts major. Today, Anita is not only a practicing Gastroenterologist but also a gifted dancer, teacher, choreographer, nattuvanar, and mentor, inspiring and guiding the next generation of Nrithyashala students with the same passion and discipline that has defined her remarkable journey.
Vocal – Smt. Veena Sivaraman
Veena is an accomplished vocalist who began training in Carnatic music at age 4 under Guru Sri Palghat T.R. Rajaram and is currently learning from Sri Bharat Sundar. She has also trained in Bharathanatyam, Chitravina, and Hindustani vocal music. Veena has performed solo Carnatic concerts in Chennai’s December Music Festival and at prestigious venues in the United States, including the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana, The Kennedy Center, and the residence of India’s Ambassador to the US. She provides vocal support for arangetrams, rangapraveshams, and dance productions, and has earned awards from AIMFA and multiple categories at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana. Veena was first runner-up on the Malayalam reality show Star Singer USA Junior and served as music director and President of Anokha, UMD’s Indian fusion a cappella team, leading them to intercollegiate victories while earning recognition as best female vocalist. She currently works as a healthcare private equity underwriter.
Mrudangam – Sri Gowrishanker Balachandran
Gowrishanker Balachandran is a highly respected Toronto-based mridangist with over four decades of performance experience and is the foremost disciple of Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. Thiruvaarur Bhakthavathsalam, trained in the traditional gurukula system. He has accompanied many leading Carnatic musicians, including Dr. N. Ramani, T. N. Seshagopalan, T. N. Krishnan, K. J. Yesudas, P. Unnikrishnan, and N. Ravikiran, and has performed at prestigious Chennai sabhas such as the Music Academy, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, and Narada Gana Sabha. Founder and Director of the Layamadhuraa Percussive Arts Centre in Toronto, he has played a pioneering role in promoting South Indian percussive arts in North America and mentoring the next generation of artists. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Mridanga Vadhya Sironmani, Abhinava Nandi, Best Teacher Award (Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana), and the Vidya Bharathi Music Award (2024).
Flute – Sri Raman Kalyan
Flute virtuoso Raman Kalyan is a leading figure in Carnatic music, celebrated for his distinctive style on the Indian bamboo flute. With over 60 CDs and numerous DVDs, including his chart-topping Music for Deep Meditation, he has reached audiences worldwide, while contributing to over 300 commercial recordings and Indian films. A top-ranking artist for All India Radio and Doordarshan, Raman is also an accomplished composer for audio and video albums, dance dramas, and theatre productions, earning the Madras Music Academy’s “Best Flautist Award” twice. He has performed with both Indian and international music legends, appeared at prestigious festivals such as the Montreal and San Francisco Jazz Festivals, and contributed acclaimed music for projects like Martha Graham’s documentary The Flute of Krishna. As founder of the Indo-American Academy of Classical Music, CarnaticLessons.com, and the Na-MaMa Foundation, Raman is dedicated to promoting Carnatic music education and supporting charity through the arts.
Violin – Sri Visesh Uppoor
Visesh is a seasoned Carnatic musician from Maryland, specializing in both violin and vocal performance. He has trained under esteemed gurus, including Vidwan Sri Subhash Vinjamuri (violin) and Vidwan Sri Malladi Ravi Kumar (vocal), and has performed at prominent music organizations and Sabhas in the US and India. Visesh has received awards from institutions such as the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana, University of Silicon Andhra, and Sivan Fine Arts Academy, and holds a Diploma in Carnatic Music from the University of Silicon Andhra. In addition to his musical pursuits, he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland.