Ramya Ramnarayan

Counted among the leading exponents of Bharatanatyam today, Ramya Ramnarayan combines legacy, expertise and experience. A protégé of two exponents of the dance form, Kalaimamani, SK Rajarathnam Pillai and Padma Bhushan Kalanidhi Narayanan, Ramya is recognized as a capable performer, choreographer, educator and a torch bearer of this art, who blends tradition with innovation.

Though her manner is often youthfully sweet, Ms. Ramnarayan is also capable of sternness and force. Only gradually do you realize that she is a considerable virtuoso and a complex stylist – Alastair Macaulay, The New York Times accurately referring to her capabilities as a performer.

Ramya Ramnarayan is a “Kalaimamani” awardee (Tamil Nadu State award, India) among other awards and she is an ICCR empaneled artist. Ms. Ramnarayan recently received the prestigious “A” grade from Government of India Doordarshan (Indian public service broadcaster).

Ramya has performed in prestigious venues such as the Madras Music Academy, Narada Gana Sabha, Kartik Fine Arts, International Fringe Festival, Asia Society, Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana, Zollener Arts Center, Lincoln Center New York to mention a few and at various festivals throughout the world. She has conducted lecture demonstrations at various schools, universities, colleges, museums, libraries under the auspicious of Young Audiences USA reaching out to over 10,000 audience members per year. She is a visiting faculty at Rutgers University.

Through the Production Company and school – Nrithyanjali, Ms. Ramnarayan’s work is created to retain roots in the collective history of philosophy, spirituality, mysticism, and myth of South Indian heritage while bringing the eloquence of Bharatanatyam to universal themes.

Ms. Ramnarayan has extended the outreach of Bharathanatyam by presenting educational and enriching dance showcases & full length performances. She was a visiting faculty appointment in the Dance Department at Mason Gross School of Arts, affiliated to Rutgers University. Ms. Ramnarayan is a gallery artist with Pentacle, roaster artist with Young Audiences of NJ and Eastern PA, and empaneled artists with Indian Council for Cultural Relations.