Welcome to Kalavaridhi Center for Performing Arts!

Kalavaridhi is a Sanskrit word, meaning Ocean of Art. Art is like the ocean - boundless, mysterious, and intriguing. A lifetime is hardly sufficient to explore any art form to its fullest. The experience of art is truly humbling. In art, the journey is itself the destination.

Kalavaridhi was founded by Sheela Ramanath in the year 2001 to promote the Indian Classical Dance Bharatanatyam. Since then she has trained hundreds of students. Bharatanatyam is a traditional South Indian dance form that derives its roots from various sources including the ancient treatise Natyashastra authored by sage Bharata in the 2nd Century BC.

Sheela and her students have performed solo and group presentations in several prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, NY, International Children’s Festival at Wolftrap, Reston Multi Cultural Festival, Dakshina Company’s Fall Festival, Interfaith Conference at Hebrew Convention Center, Kennedy Center, Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival, to name a few. Through dance productions Kalavaridhi has raised funds for many nonprofit organizations. 

Students of Kalavaridhi have won accolades and prizes in several Solo as well as Group Dance Competitions. 

Each year, a selected number of students perform their Arangetram (Formal Solo Debut Performance) which is akin to graduation. 

Sheela has completed her Masters Degree in Bharatanatyam with distinction. She is also a full member of the ISTD, UK. She has been awarded Fellowship by the prestigious Organization- Performing Arts Educators for her invaluable contribution in the field of dance and for her innovative teaching methodology. Under her stewardship and vision, Kalavaridhi has become one of the most sought after premier institutions that promote Bharatanatyam in the DMV area.