kalanityam
natyalaya
born from A DREAM
BETWEEN TWO GURUS
In 2006, Guru Smt. Selvi Pragasam founded Kalanityam Natyalaya with a mission: to preserve and propagate this sacred art form in its purest essence. Alongside the dedicated Guru Smt. Lavanya Gopal joined her in 2010. Both Gurus together don’t just teach dance; they ignite a lifelong passion for Bharatanatyam, blending rigorous technique with profound theoretical wisdom. Together, they shape not just skilled dancers, but torchbearers of tradition—empowering students to carry forward the legacy with grace, knowledge, and unshakable devotion.Smt. Selvi Pragasam and Smt. Lavanya Gopal founded InFUSE Education Services along with their family In 2017. InFUSE, is an inclusive initiative supports neurodiverse children through the performing arts, fostering social skills and confidence.
about
GURU Smt. Selvi Pragasam
Guru Smt. Selvi Pragasam is a distinguished Bharatanatyam artist, choreographer, and educator. She graduated with honors from the KalaiKaviri School of Fine Arts, affiliated with Bharathidasan University in India, and trained under esteemed Gurus including Shri V.P. Dhananjayan, Smt. Shanta Dhananjayan, and Smt. Vijaya Mukundan.
A versatile performer, she has trained in other classical styles such as Mohiniattam, Kathak, Manipuri, and Odissi, and global forms like Jazz, Salsa, and Hip Hop, learning under acclaimed choreographers including Darrin Henson. She also trained in Bharathanrithyam and ChitraNrithyam from Smt. Anuradha Vikranth and Nattuvangam from Guru Uma Dhandayudhapani Pillai and Dr. Panruti Suresh
She has performed internationally, including before Pope John Paul II, and was one of six dancers selected to represent KalaiKaviri in India and Europe. In 2025, she led her students to win First Place in Choreography at the International Dance Competition in Spain, among 100 teams from 22 countries.
Guru Selvi is the founder of the Indian-FusionDance Academy (2006) and co-founder of Kalanityam (2012) and the non-profit InFUSE (2017), which promotes inclusive arts education, particularly for differently-abled individuals. She was recently recognized by Marquis Who’s Who for her excellence in dance.
about
GURU Smt.lavanya gopal
Guru Smt. Lavanya Gopal is the Artistic Director of Kalanityam Natyalaya and a renowned performer, choreographer, and advocate for inclusivity in the arts. Trained under eminent gurus and accomplished in Carnatic music, Nattuvangam, Bharathanrityam, and Chitra Nrithyam, she began her artistic journey at age six and made her solo debut at ten. She also has a masters in Sanskrit besides her Masters Degree in Marketing Management. Guru Smt. Lavanya Gopal joined Smt Selvi Pragsam and together they established Kalanityam Natyalaya in 2012. Guru Lavanya’s students have performed on prestigious stages worldwide and have won several competitions both in the U.S. and abroad.
As the 2021 US Cultural Ambassador for Pravasi Bharathiya Divas, Lavanya remains committed to sharing the spiritual essence of Bharathanatyam. Through Kalanityam and InFUSE, she continues to nurture and empower students of all abilities.
our talented faculty also includes
aditi kaushik
Aditi Kaushik, a disciple of Guru Smt. Selvi Pragasam, has been learning Bharatanatyam since the age of 3½. She completed her Bharatanatyam Arangetram in 2023 and has guided other students in their own Arangetram journeys. She has volunteered with Kalanityam since 2019 and has been one of our longest-standing staff members, teaching classes for the past 5 years. Aditi has taught dance workshops both within Kalanityam and through the nonprofit organization InFUSE, choreographed numerous group and solo pieces, and won competitions—including an international title in Spain. With a deep passion for dance, she loves working with students of all ages, helping them find their voice and confidence through the art form. Outside of dance, Aditi is a Consumer Insights Intern at Pinch AI and an incoming freshman at UC Irvine where she is pursuing Psychology and Business.
Yamuna Ganesan
Yamuna Ganesan, a dedicated disciple of Guru Smt. Selvi Pragasam, began her Bharatanatyam training at the age of six under Guru Smt. Shakila Gopi and completed her Arangetram in 2000 at The Music Academy in Chennai. Trained in both the Kalakshetra and Pandanallur styles, Yamuna has cultivated a strong foundation in technique, expression, and discipline. Her early passion for teaching emerged in school, where her teachers recognized her potential and entrusted her with training younger students for cultural performances. Since joining Kalanityam Natyalaya in 2016, she has been a committed performer and mentor, guiding students in classes, stage rehearsals, and Arangetram prep. Yamuna actively performs in temples as an offering of Natya Seva and brings a spirit of devotion to her teaching. Beyond the studio, she holds a degree in Information Technology and has balanced her career in the U.S. with her continued pursuit of dance. Known for her calm presence and patient instruction, Yamuna is deeply invested in nurturing the next generation of dancers, helping them grow into confident, graceful artists with a sense of purpose and joy in their craft.
ananya Raj Sudarshan
Ananya Raj Sudarshan is a talented Bharatanatyam dancer who began training at age 3 under Gurus Smt. Selvi Pragasam and Smt. Lavanya Gopal of Kalanityam Natyalaya. She completed two successful arangetrams, one in India with Kalaimamani Smt. Anitha Guha as chief guest. Ananya has performed at revered temples such as Chidambaram and Thanjavur Periya Kovil, and has been honored with many distinctions. She recently won first prize at The Fiestalonia Milenio International Dance Games in Spain. Now, Ananya teaches dance classes and guides aspiring dancers through their arangetram journeys, while also working with organizations to make dance more accessible, sharing her love and passion for dance with diverse groups of students.
deepa govind
Deepa Govind began her Bharatanatyam journey at age five under Guru Shri Chalapathi Master in Bangalore, later training with multiple teachers before completing her Senior Bharatanatyam Examination under Guru Shri Raju Datar. After earning a degree in Computer Science Engineering, she balanced a growing tech career with her passion for dance—choreographing and teaching classical and semi-classical items to children in underserved communities. Upon moving to the U.S. in 2001, she eventually resumed formal training at Kalanityam Natyalaya in 2014 under Guru Smt. Selvi Pragasam, starting from foundational adavus and quickly progressing to the senior level. Since then, she has performed in major productions and won accolades in Bay Area competitions, while also serving as a dedicated volunteer. In 2023, she began assisting classes and teaching select choreographies under the guidance of Gurus Smt. Selvi and Smt. Lavanya. Deepa brings grace, discipline, and a nurturing spirit to every class, and remains deeply committed to preserving and sharing the art form she loves.
Neelima Munjuluri
Neelima Munjuluri’s love for dance began at the age of four and blossomed through years of dedicated Kuchipudi training and performances across regional stages in India. After a pause to focus on academics and family life, her passion was reignited when her daughter Meha began Bharatanatyam classes at Kalanityam. Inspired by her daughter and encouraged by her family, Neelima returned to the world of dance—culminating in a heartfelt joint arangetram with Meha in 2018. Since then, she has grown as a performer and proudly represented Kalanityam at events and competitions across the Bay Area. In 2023, with the blessings of her gurus, Neelima joined the Kalanityam faculty, finding deep fulfillment in teaching and mentoring young dancers. Her journey reflects the timeless beauty of rediscovery and the joy of sharing Bharatanatyam across generations.
