KalaUtsava
Experience JOY!

Experience MAGIC!

Experience DANCE & MUSIC!
Join Us Today!
9840856675
archana.kalautsava@gmail.com
Slider

Artistic Director

Archana Chandrasekaran, a seasoned dancer for over 25 years started learning Bharatanatyam at the age of 4 under Aacharya Choodamani Smt.Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala, daughter-in-law of the legendary singer Shri.Ghantasala and founder of Kala Pradarshini. Trained in the Pandhanallur style of Bharatanatyam in the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara she completed her Salangai Pooja at the age of 10. She started dancing in multiple stages as a part of group dance productions of her dance school. With the blessings of her Guru, she completed her Arangetram at the age of 12 and has since then given multiple solo and group performances that have been acclaimed by stalwarts in the art field like Padmashri. Sudharani Raghupathy, Padmashri. Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan and Aacharya Choodamani. Krishnakumari Narendran. She also trained under Shri. Renjith Babu (Founder of Dhwani) for 8 years and gained expertise in Kalakshetra style techniques and Yoga.

Archana has performed on multiple stages under prestigious banners all over India, including forums like the Chennai December Dance/music Festival, Thyagaraja Utsavam , Kapaleeswar Temple Shivarathri Festival, Mamallapuram Dance Festival, Chidambaram Dance Festival and more. She has given dance performances in very well known Sabhas in Chennai, a city very well known for its culture and love for promoting traditional art forms. She has been a part of numerous famous dance productions and has performed all over India, some of them being Utchi thilagam, Arul Aadal, Annamayya, Krishna Madhuryam, Aindhamudhu, Ganga lahari and Gana Ghandharva to name a few.

A lifetime member of ABHAI (Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India), Archana has performed under multiple prestigious banners all over India. She has also performed in Doordarshan, Raj TV , Jaya TV and Sankara TV. The latest feather in her cap is having danced in Padma Shri Kunnakudi Vaiyanathan's musical film, which is scheduled for release in 2019. Archana is known for her soulful dancing and sharp movements. Along with dance, she has also undergone training in Carnatic music and masters both art forms.

Owing to her deep interest in music and dance, Archana started her own Dance and music school in Chicago, where she trained multiple students in different dance and music forms and showcased their talents through numerous programs. After moving to India, she is currently teaching dance and music through her school Kala Utsava in Chennai.

Archana truly believes that dance and music are languages of the soul and aims to spread the joy of experiencing these art forms by training all those interested in learning the same.

Performances

  • ► Narada Gana Sabha, Ramanotsavam festival, India. 2018


  • ► Shivarathri Festival - Kapaleeswar Temple, India. 2001 & 2018


  • ► Bhrahma Gana Sabha Margazhi Utsavam, India. 2017


  • ► Margazhi Utsavam, RASA, India. 2011 & 2017


  • ► Thyaga Bhrama Gana Sabha Margazhi Utsavam, India. 1999, 2008 & 2017


  • ► Chicago Tamil Sangam, USA. 2016


  • ► Telugu association of Chicago, USA. 2015


  • ► Thyagaraja Utsavam, India. 2012


  • ► Narada Gana Sabha, India. 2008- 2012


  • ► Sivagami Pethachi auditorium , India. 2008 - 2011


  • ► Karthik Fine Arts, India. 2006-2009


  • ► Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, India. 2004 - 2008


  • ► Chidambaram Natyanjali, India. 2004


  • ► Mylapore Fine Arts Club, India 2000-2005


  • ► Bharath Kalachar, India 2001, 2005, 2011


  • ► Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam (TTD), India 2004


  • ► Margazhi Utsavam - Music Academy, India 2003


  • ► Mamallapuram Dance Festival, India 2002, 2007


  • ► ISKCON, India 2002


  • ► Sri Sathya Sai Baba foundation, India 2001


  • ► Natyanjali Trust, India 2001


  • ► Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, India 2000- 2012


Kala Utsava

Kala Utsava was started in Chicago, USA to teach the American born Indian children the values of Indian traditions and culture through different mediums that they would relate to easily - dance and music. What started out as a voluntary service to the Indian community in Chicago soon took shape and changed into a full fledged school where children learnt about their roots in a fun filled yet disciplined environment.

At Kala Utsava we believe that practising an art form nurtures our minds and bodies through discipline, focus, strength and stamina, while providing us an avenue to express ourselves freely through dance and music. An artistic hobby is as important as any regular school curriculum since it activates the brain thereby enhancing concentration and facilitating excellence in academics and other walks of life. Our teaching techniques go beyond the traditional methods by providing a logical angle to what the students learn. We believe this will help them connect with the art forms better. While our training module is deeply rooted in tradition and wholesome in nature, it is packaged with techniques that appeal to the modern generation.

The school takes immense pride in having constantly produced good artistes - not just in terms of mastering the art form itself but how that art form has shaped the students to be better people in the society by way of helping them develop various emotions and principles within themselves. In today's Hitech world, where every little thing is mechanical, Art fully identifies itself as a way of human expression. Qualities like empathy, righteousness and pure love, which have become a rarity these days, are kept very alive in art forms like dance and music. Students imbibe all these qualities subconsciously when they learn these art forms. Kala Utsava is very happy to support and train eager young minds, and in that way contribute towards the creation of a better tomorrow.

Curriculum

Kala Utsava believes every student is unique, and if guided in the right fashion, every student can reach great heights. Once students reach a certain degree of proficiency in dance and music and based on their interest in pursuing these art forms as an advanced hobby or even as a career, Kala Utsava will nurture their interest by connecting them with the experts in the specific fields of interest and pave path for them to explore the art world independently.



Bhartanatiyam Curriculum



Level 1 - The foundation of Bharatanatyam training is laid through learning Adavus. Adavus encompass the dance vocabulary, body posture, body balance and the understanding of Thalam (rhythm). In this stage students will be taught basic theory of Hastha Mudras - single and double hand gestures.

Level 2 - Students will be introduced to Adavu sequences while mastering Angasuddham (clean movements and symmetry) through dance items like Alarippu, Kautuvams and Pushpanjalis, progress to more complex items like Jathiswarams and Shabdams and will be introduced to the basics of Bhaava/Abhinaya (expressions). After the completion of Level 2, the student will qualify for Salangai Pooja.

Level 3 - Students will be introduced to dance pieces that demand greater technical precision, deeper Abhinaya and endurance to complete 20-30 minute dance rituals like Varnams and Thillanas along with Padams that concentrate heavily on bringing out the dancer's ability to communicate/ narrate through Bhava (expressions). Level 3 culminates the Margam or the dance repertoire which is intended to demonstrate the dancer's advancement in performance and discipline. After the completion of Level 3, the student becomes ready for Arangetram/Rangapravesam which marks the transition of an artiste from a student to a blossoming dancer.

Level 4 - Once students complete their Arangetram, they qualify to become part time teaching faculty at Kala Utsava while continuing to give solo performances and learning more in depth concepts of Natya Shastra thereby exploring deeper horizons and flourishing into a professional Bharatanatyam artiste.



Carnatic Music Curriculum



Level 1 - Carnatic music training begins with basic exercises of Sarali Varisai, Jantai Varisai, Dhatu Varisai and Melsthayi Varisai. These exercises introduce the basics concepts of Sruthi and Layam to the student. They provide good training to the vocal chords by opening them up to their full potential.

Level 2 - Students will be introduced to small songs with different ragas and talas like Geethams and Swarajathis. These combine Swara and Sahitya patterns with different Talas that demand greater expertise, thereby helping students understand different tunes and rhythms.

Level 3 - Students will be trained to handle complex realms of music that demand great precision like Varnams and Keertanams. The most important aspect of Carnatic music, Varnam opens up the scopes of different Ragas to the students through a combination of Swaram , Sahityam and Alaapanais. Students will also learn padams and Bhajans alongside Varnams.

Testimonials

Pradeep Kumar Ragu Chanthar

Keep your passion going Archana!!! You are an awesome dancer. Looking forward to working with you again soon !!

Sanjana Senthilkumar

It was an amazing experience learning from you Akka…you taught me how to enjoy a dance piece while having to learn it in a very short period of time and thanks to u it was really interesting to dance in a new bharatanatyam style. Hope you get to teach me again !!

Vishnupriya Siva

It was an amazing opportunity learning dance from you! Whenever I had questions, you would answer them in a way that I could understand. Although I learned from you in such a very short period of time, I learned so much from you in these couple of weeks. Thank you for teaching me! I hope your new dance academy will be successful! Thanks Archana Akka !!

Deshna Chitrarasu

Thank you Archana Akka for teaching me an amazing dance in a new style of Bharatanatyam. I enjoyed learning from you and hope to do it again. I learned so much in so little time and it couldn’t have happened without your guidance, and I know for sure that your future dance academy will be very successful !!

Niki

Thank you so much akka for teaching us so much about another form of Bharatanatyam. I look foreword to learning from you again in the near future. I hope your dance academy flourishes with dancers eager to learn from you !!

Athira

Thank you Archana teacher for taking the time to teach us so thoroughly in that small span that we had together as a class. I hope that we will have the pleasure of being taught by you again and all the best in your future endeavors !!

Asha Suresh

Thank you Archana Akka for teaching all of us in an effective way. You always made sure we would understand the steps, and was never harsh. You put in lots of effort to coordinate and teach and that made the dance way better. You are a great dancer, and all the best to you in the future !!

Pavani Sanam

We finally found a good dance teacher in Chicago area. You have eminance knowledge on different dance forms. You are really dedicated and very hard working teacher. It needs lot of patience to teach younger kids. You did an amazing job. Lets keep this going. You rock !!

Pratima

Thank you for all your effort Archana, you are a awesome dancer and we are impressed for your hard work and dedication and could like to continue you as a teacher for our kids !!

Nirmala Nagireddy

You are a great dancer and teacher. You inspire kids to do their best and your constant efforts pay off at the end. My both kids enjoyed learning from you. Keep your passion and dedication intact. Appreciate your efforts to teach my kids and other kids of the community with lot of patience and passion !!

Trupti Taware

Thanks Archana for your passion, patience and dedication as a teacher. You are very much committed to your work. My child njoy each session with you. I personally like your organisational skills, hardworking and motivating attitude.. highly recommend you a dance teacher.. keep doing good work !!

Madhavi Daka

Archana, you are an awesome dancer. Very talented , passionate and committed . Your body has that rhthym. Thank you a ton for working with our kids and supporting us for our events. Looking forward to work with you for all other occasions !!

Vinitha Podduturi

You are a great dancer and teacher and I like your passion and dedication towards kids when you teach them.Looking forward to work more with you soon Archana !!

Prachi

You have amazing teaching skills Archana! You have lot of patience to teach kids and you keep going until kids get there. I would love to be your student and learn dance from you !!

Gallery

-->
Project Image