NIYATHI
Rudram Dance Company
NIYATHI’SBHARATHANATYAMARANGETRAM
"A celebration of grace, rhythm, and tradition"
August 16, 2025, 4:00 PM
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Quiet and calm by nature, Niyathi found her voice through dance. Her rewarding journey into Bharatanatyam began at the age of eight, after witnessing a neighbor’s Arangetram. Deeply inspired, she immersed herself in this pure classical art form — first learning the basics for four years under Smt. Veena Seshadri, and later continuing her dedicated study with Smt. Tara Priyadarshini Bikkasani, to whom she has lovingly surrendered herself as a disciple. She has been committed to learning the art ever since.
A dedicated senior at Academy at the Lakes, Niyathi is known for her calm composure, incredible focus, and strong work ethic — both at home and in school. Her leadership roles include serving as a School Ambassador, Vice President of HOSA, and Founder of the Model United Nations Club. She is also a proud member of both the National English Honor Society and the National Honor Society. In addition to dance, Niyathi has studied piano since the age of six.
Beyond her academic and artistic pursuits, Niyathi’s creativity shines through her love for sketching and calligraphy. This passion led her to found Draw4Paws.com, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds to ensure no pup goes hungry. She supports this mission by selling her artwork and offering artistic services. Niyathi humbly invites your support — whether by donating art, time, or resources — to help further her cause.
When asked about her dreams, Niyathi hopes to travel the world and continue cherishing life with her best fur friend, Leo. She often relives her adventures through her travel blog, documenting memories both big and small.
Today marks one of the most meaningful days in Niyathi’s life, as she humbly presents her art, guided by her guru and blessed by her well-wishers.
Tara Priyadarshini Bikkasani is a distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer, renowned for her mastery and dedication to the classical art form. She received rigorous training under eminent gurus including Nritya Choodamani Smt. Krishnaveni Lakshmanan of Kalakshetra, Prof. M. R. Krishnamurthy, and Smt. Uma Rao, also of Kalakshetra, Chennai, India. Tara further enriched her art by studying Abhinayam under Padma Shri Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna and Smt. Saride Manikyamma, a legendary exponent of the traditional Temple Dance form from Hyderabad.
Tara has captivated audiences and critics alike with hundreds of performances across India and internationally. Her rigorous performance schedule is a reflection of both her exceptional talent and her unwavering commitment to Bharatanatyam. She has choreographed a wide array of productions including Ramayana, Krishnam Vande Jagat Guru, Dasavatara, Draupadi, and Nrithya-Milana—a unique confluence of various Indian classical dance styles—among many others. She has been featured prominently at prestigious national and international dance festivals.
In addition to her performance career, Tara has contributed to academic institutions by teaching Bharatanatyam at the University of Florida, Gainesville for several semesters. She has also been invited to present workshops, lectures, demonstrations, and performances at several universities such as Purdue University, Indiana University South Bend, University of Indianapolis, and other institutions throughout the Midwest.
Tara is the founder and artistic director of Rudram Dance Company, a premier dance school where she trains the next generation of Bharatanatyam dancers. Many of her students have successfully completed their Arangetram (solo debut performance) and continue to pursue advanced training and performance opportunities under her guidance at Rudram.
Shri Nandakumar Unnikrishnan (Vocalist)
A distinguished Carnatic vocalist, Nandakumar has accompanied over 600 Arangetrams worldwide. Trained by Sri Kalarcode Mahadevan and Sri C Narayanan Namboothiri, his melodious voice and deep understanding of rhythm have made him a sought-after singer for classical dance. He has toured extensively across India, the USA, Europe, Australia, and more. Honors include the Aryabhatta Excellence Award, Sangeetha Shreshta (Alleppey), and recognition from the Rotary Club of Haripad.
An internationally acclaimed flute maestro, Ravi began his training under his father Sri K. Raghavendra Rao. Hailed as flute maestro by legend Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ravi has performed over 1200 concerts in 34 countries, gracing stages like Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and Sydney Opera House. His music blends Carnatic classical, world music, and fusion jazz, with collaborations including Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, AR Rahman, and more.
Karthik Vydhatri
(Percussion)
A versatile and dynamic percussionist, Karthik was trained by his father Vidwan S. V. Giridhar. He is known for his mastery of Mridangam, Rhythm Pads, Morsing, and Kanjira, and for blending tradition and contemporary styles. Karthik is a regular performer in Carnatic concerts and dance festivals across India and abroad, admired for his versatility.
Collective Impact
Together, they have led Arangetrams, concerts, workshops, and recordings worldwide. Their work is trusted by dancers and musicians for its blend of classical depth, soulful melody, and rhythmic brilliance, resonating across continents.
Gajananam
Ragam: Ahir Bhairavi
Thalam: Mishra Chāpu
Choreography: Shyamjit Kiran, Kalakshetra Alumni
Description: Lord Ganesha is a prominent deity in Hinduism, known as the remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings, wisdom, and good fortune. He is easily recognized by his elephant head and is often worshipped before starting any new endeavor. Thus Niyathi seeks the blessings of Lord Ganesha and Begins this item.
Alarippu
Thalam: Tishram
Style: Traditional Repertoire
Description: Alarippu is a traditional dance item in Bharatanatyam. It translates to "flowering bud" and is an abstract, rhythmic dance that serves as a warm-up and an introduction to the larger performance. The Alarippu is characterized by rhythmic movements, primarily using hands and feet, and is performed to the beat of the mridangam.
Shabdam – Ayar Sheriyar
Ragam: Ragamalika
Thalam: Mishra Chapu
Style: Kalakshetra Repertoire
Choreography: Smt.Rukmini Devi Arundele, Kalakshetra
Description: Ayar Sheriyar is a charming and vivid Shabdam that describes the playful and divine attributes of Lord Krishna. The Shabdam depicts various episodes and characteristics of Lord Krishna's childhood and youth in Gokulam and Brindavan. It describes his mischievous acts, his charm, his interactions with the gopikas, his divine powers (like lifting the Govardhana hill), and his beauty. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and playful language, making it a delightful piece for abhinaya, allowing the dancer to express a range of emotions from awe and devotion to amusement and love.
Varnam – MatE Malayadwaja
Composer: H.N. Muttayyah Bhagavatar
Rāgam: Kamas
Tālam: Adi Tāla
Choreography: Smt.Tara Bikkasani
Description: Varnam is considered the crowning piece in Bharatanatyam. This item displays wide range of emotions combining dance sequences and artistic patterns with abhinaya in equal measure, blending emotions, melody and rhythm.
The kriti "MaatE Malayadwaja" is addressed to Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai. The title itself means "Mother, daughter of Malayadwaja", referring to Meenakshi, who is believed to be the daughter of King Malayadwaja Pandya.
The song is a devotional tribute to the Goddess, extolling her beauty, power, and divine attributes. Dikshitar, being a devout worshiper of various deities, often embedded profound spiritual
concepts and descriptions of the deity's iconography within his lyrics. In this kriti, he beautifully describes Meenakshi's divine form, her qualities, and seeks her blessings and protection.
Keerthanam – Vidai Meedhil Pavani Vanthai
Ragam: Simhendramadhyamam
Talam: Roopaka
Choreography: Smt.Rukmini Devi Arundele,
Kalakshetra
Description:This is a Keerthanam taken from the Dance drama “Krishnamaari Kuravanji” Choreographed by Smt.Rukminidevi Arundele. It beautifully captures the grandeur of Lord Shiva's procession and evokes the imagery of his majestic presence.
Bhajan – Shri Ramachandra: Tulasi Dasa Bhajan
Ragam: Yaman Kalyani
Thalam: Mishra Chāpu
Choreography: Smt.Tara Bikkasani
Description:This song is one of the most beloved and widely sung bhajans, dedicated to Lord Rama. It is a profound and beautiful prayer that encapsulates the essence of devotion to the divine. This revered bhajan was composed by the great poet-saint Tulsidas in the 16th century, in which he urges everyone to worship and meditate upon the compassionate Lord Rama, who is described as the remover of the dreadful fears of worldly existence.
Thillana – Ragam Hindolam
Ragam: Hindolam
Thalam: Adi Tāla
Music Composition: Vidwan Sri Seetharama Sharma
Choreography: Nrithya Choodamani Smt.Krishnaveni Lakshmanan
Description:Typically closing a Bharatanatyam recital, the Thillana is a vibrant and rhythmic composition designed to showcase the dancer's exceptional skill. It features intricate footwork and complex rhythmic sequences, frequently adapted to different Talas within Carnatic music. The Thillana's lively and joyful nature makes it a perfect finale, offering a powerful demonstration of both technical prowess and deep musicality.
