Gurus
- Lovingly called as Akka & Anna
Kalagangothri Foundation - A premier organization based out of Edison, New Jersey and New York imparting quality education in Indan Classical Art Forms - Bharathanatya, Carnatic Music & Yoga
Guru Smt. Akhilandeshwari, Founder Director of Kalagangothri Foundation and Artistic Director Guru Sri. Chetan Hebbar, dynamic Bharathanatya dancer couple from India/ USA has over the years carved their name in the field of creative arts as dedicated Bharathanatya artists. Her productions are appreciated for innovation, creativity, enthusiasm to Bharathanatya.
Guru. Smt. AKHILANDESHWARI .V
Akhila is a committed artist and is very clear with her ideas to pursue and dedicate herself to represent this art form. The effective training and the vast amount of skills received by legendary tutors has made Akhila one of the most sought after talented and creative artists. She is the recipient of prestigious “Purandara Anugraha” Award – 2014 for her services in the dance field by TTD, Trust, Tirupati, Government of AP, India and has received various titles and awards from reputed organizations in recognition of her work in India & the USA.
She has honed skills in ‘Nritta’ - Pure Dance Form, ‘rasabhinaya’ with decades of practice under these great Gurus and also attending different workshops conducted by Legends in Bharathanatya. Akhila had her initial training in Dance under the gurukula system by Smt. Revathi Narasimhan for over 15 years in the vazhavoor style of Bharthanatya. She has been the member of ICCR recognized ‘Shivakami Troupe’ for several years. Akhila successfully performed her Rangapravesham under her Guru. Revathi Narasimhan in the year 1999 at the prestigious Ravindra Kalakshetra Auditorium, Bangalore, India. She has always won recognition and great appreciation from press and public. Further, Akhila did her advanced training under the tutelage of Professor Uma Rao in Kalakashetra style of Bharathanatya. It was under the guidance and training of legendary guru Uma Rao, Akhila completed her Vidwath (Post Graduation) level exams in Bharathanatya conducted by Government of Karnataka. Guru Professor Uma Rao identified Akhila as a talented and confident dancer and selected her for her productions. She has been an auditioned artist of National Broadcasters – All India Radio and Doordarshan in India.
Guru. Sri. CHETAN HEBBAR
Chetan was initiated into Bhartanatyam at an young age of eight. Dr.Bina Joseph of the Mysore Baani nurtured the young Chetan to bloom into an aspiring artist. Further, twenty five years of studentship in the well known Kalakshetra style under the tutelage of Karnataka Kalasree Uma Rao, Mysore, has honed the nrutyabhinaya skills of Chetan. He has presented dance recitals extensively around the world at all major dance festivals. Chetan is the recipient of the coveted National Scholarship for Advance Training in Dance, from Central Government for 2 years and has won several awards and titles from prestigious organizations. His performances have received great reviews and appreciation by dance connoisseurs and critics, alike.
The dancing duo - Chetan and Akhila are empanelled artists of Doordarshan, where they have presented several performances which are widely applauded. After completing their training Chetan & Akhila have choreographed some spectacular dance thematic presentations under their dance company Kalagangothri.
Chetan and Akhila have choreographed many dance features. Their performances, choreographies are aesthetic based on intense research work, filled with in depth ‘Rasabhinaya’, breath taking neat postures and high on rhythmic technicalities.
'Nrutya Sangeeta Bharata' a dance feature choreographed for the golden jubilee celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala, Mysore, was highly appreciated.
For the first time ever, a dance feature 'Navagraha' based on the nine divine planets of Hindu cosmology was choreographed by this creative couple. This feature has received rave reviews from public as well as media. Other leading productions such as KrishnayaThubyamNamaha, Sridevi Darshanam, NruthyaVaibhava, PurandaraNamana, Samarpan has been very well appreciated by one and all. ‘Nruthyothsava’ – For the first time ever in USA, a nonstop devotional classical dance festival for more than 12 hours on occasion of Shivarathri was conceptualized & conducted in New Jersey, USA. There were more than 30 dance schools and more than 300 participants who performed for Lord Nataraja on the lines of Natyanajali Festival at Chidambaram, India.
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MEDIA THAT THE ARTISTS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED:
Duo has been extensively covered on National Broadcasting Agencies & several other telecasters on several important occasions. Some of the snippets from leading news papers are available in the section 'Press Reviews".
AWARDS
Akhila and Chetan have been recognised for their expemplory work by various leading organizations in India and abroad. The list of awards & Tiltes are updated in the section "Awards & Recognitions"
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
After learning for 20+ years and teaching at Kalagangothri Foundation, India & USA Duo was invited to take classes at Sri Lalithakala Academy and conduct classes for aspiring children in India. They have conducted workshops for leading dance schools across globe. They have imparted their knowledge as Saint. Sri Purandaradasa states “Kereya …neeranu….keregechelli” by giving back to the society what they have imbibed through their career
· Dance Instructor at Niveditha Convent, Bangalore India
· Dance Instructor at at Hari Vidyalaya, Bangalore India
· Dance trainer at Sri Ramakrishna VidyaShala, Mysore , India
· Dance Instructor at Surati Inc, Jersey City, USA