Natya Marga Dance presents
Bharatanatyam
Shriya Narasimhan
& Anvita Narasimhan
June 27, 2026
Lehman Theater, Miami Dade College
11380 NW 27th Ave, Room 1315 · Miami, FL 33167
Natya Marga Dance · Discover the Path of Dance
The Dancers
Shriya
Shriya Narasimhan
Shriya has trained in Bharatanatyam under the guidance of Dr. Madhavi Menon since she was eight years old, and this performance marks a meaningful milestone in her dance journey.
Throughout her training, Shriya has performed Bharatanatyam and Bollywood dance for non-profit organizations — at libraries, open arenas, and fundraisers. She is also a violinist who has performed with the Florida Youth Orchestra.
A recent graduate of American Heritage School, Shriya conducted independent research in biological science and neurobiology, worked two consecutive years in the BloodFlowLab at the University of Miami, and contributed to clinical research at Nicklaus Children's Hospital. A four-time HOSA state qualifier, she earned first place at the state level, and received the National Speech and Debate Association Degree of Distinction.
Shriya will be attending the University of Miami in the fall.
Anvita
Anvita Narasimhan
Anvita is a rising freshman at American Heritage Schools. Completing her arangetram as a schooler is a remarkable achievement — one that reflects nine years of dedicated training under Dr. Madhavi Menon at the Natya Marga School of Dance.
Beyond dance, Anvita is a versatile performer: a ten-year pianist, a trained classical singer, and a guitarist. Her vocal talents earned her the runner-up title at the Florida Federation of Music Club's state level competition.
She has advanced to the quarterfinals at the Harvard University congressional debate competition, placed as county-level runner-up in the Miami Herald Spelling Bee, and plays volleyball as a middle blocker at Wildfire Volleyball Academy.
Guru
Dr. Madhavi
Menon
Dr. Madhavi Menon is a Bharatanatyam artiste trained in the Thanjavoor bani under Padmashri and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Guru Smt. Geeta Chandran at Natya Vriksha, New Delhi. She was presented in Natya Vriksha's maiden Arangetram at the Triveni Chamber Theatre in 1999.
Madhavi has performed extensively as a solo artiste and as a member of the Natya Vriksha dance company, collaborating with leading South Florida–based Indian classical dancers. She conducts workshops and lecture-demonstrations for diverse audiences, and has served as a national reviewer for World Dance for the YoungArts Foundation.
Her scholarly work includes publications and lectures on Indian classical dance and cultural identity, and she has contributed as a narrator and scriptwriter for several dance productions.
Madhavi holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology and is a Professor of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University. She founded the Natya Marga School of Dance in 2016.
The margam is the classical repertoire of Bharatanatyam — a sequence moving from pure rhythmic dance toward increasingly expressive compositions, guiding dancer and audience through devotion, beauty, and mastery.
An invocation by the orchestra to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, seeking divine blessings for an auspicious performance.
Ragam: Gambheera Nattai · Taalam: Adi
A devotional offering of flowers and salutations to the divine, guru, and audience, expressed through nritta — pure dance.
Ragam: Hamsadhwani · Chatushra Eka taalam
A powerful rhythmic composition celebrating Lord Shiva as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance.
Ragam: Kalyani · Rupaka taalam
A pure dance composition highlighting rhythm, geometry, and musical precision through intricate adavus (steps) performed to swaras (musical notes).
Ragamalika · Talamalika
A traditional invocation from the Tirupati temple repertoire in praise of Lord Vishnu, marking a transition into the expressive segment of the margam.
Ragam: PurviKalyani · Adi taalam
The centerpiece of the margam — combining nritta and abhinaya (expression) to portray a devotional narrative of longing and emotion.
Ragamalika · Adi taalam
An abhinaya composition depicting the divine beauty of Lord Krishna as he approaches Vrindavan.
Ragam: Yamunakalyani · Adi taalam
A tribute to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, invoking wisdom, knowledge, and artistic inspiration.
Ragamalika · Adi taalam
A lyrical composition portraying the divine flute of Lord Krishna as a flowing shower of celestial music.
Ragamalika · Adi taalam
A fast-paced rhythmic composition in praise of Lord Shiva's cosmic dance, celebrating the unity of rhythm, sound, and divine energy.
Ragam: Brindavani · Adi taalam
A vibrant rhythmic composition showcasing intricate footwork, dynamic movement, and technical artistry.
A concluding offering invoking peace, prosperity, and auspiciousness for all.
Guru & Nattavangu
Guiding the performance as Nattuvanar — keeping rhythm and directing the dance through the traditional art of nattavangu, the conductor of the Bharatanatyam stage.
Vocal
A Singapore-based Grammy-nominated Carnatic vocalist and Veena artiste, and voting member of the Recording Academy. She has given over 300 performances internationally, including at the Esplanade in Singapore and the Music Academy in Chennai.
Mridangam
Trained under Dr. S. Ramakrishnan and currently studying under Sri Mumbai Shankaranarayanan. He has accompanied leading vocal, violin, and veena artistes across Indian classical and semi-classical music.
Violin
Trained in Carnatic and Hindustani music in Mumbai. He has performed solo concerts worldwide and accompanied eminent musicians including T.V. Sankaranarayanan, Chitraveena Ravikiran, and Bombay Jayashree.
Veena
A rising high school freshman and aspiring Carnatic vocalist and vainika, currently a disciple of Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh — one of India's foremost veena virtuosos.
Flute
Trained under disciples of the legendary Flute Mali and currently studying under Flute Shri. V. K. Raman. He runs the Bay Area chapter of IAACM (Indo-American Academy of Classical Music).
