Sri Saraswathi Nrithya Nilayam

Art is like the vast sky – infinite, mystifying, and fascinating. A lifetime is not enough to either explore or master any art form in its entirety. The experience of learning any art is both exhilarating and humbling. The pace of evolution of dance and music and the world around us is such that, you realize: the more you learn, the less you know. Uma, is one of the foremost disciples of Kalaimama

ni and recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi award Smt. Ranganayaki Jayaraman, Director, Sri Saraswathi Gana Nilyam. She has to her credit over 200 Solos, group performances and many thematic productions. Uma has trained over 50 students for Arangetram while in India. Founding Sri Saraswathi Nrithya Nilayam , is both a milestone in Uma’s artistic journey as well as a tribute to her Gurus legacy and the institution. Saraswathi is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom, and learning. In learning any art, the journey itself is the destination. It is this joyous experience and passion that Uma thrives to give and share with her students, through Bharatanatyam. Even as Uma adheres to the traditional Margam, she follows in the footsteps of her Gurus in innovative choreography and presentation. In the fall of 2016, Uma’s daughter Narthni Shankar and her disciple Medha Pillai paired up to perform their Arangetram at the Halton Theater. ( North Carolina)

Hailing from an institution that not only imparts the classical style of Bharatanatyam, but were also pioneers in promoting the south Indian folk forms, Uma in alliance with her Guru, in 2007, released the Audio CD “Pranamamyaham” comprising Bharatanatyam and folk compositions. She conducts classes In North and South Charlotte. Sri Saraswathi Nrithya Nilayam host their annual recital " Vikasitam" in November.