Ramya Ramnarayan – Performer, Teacher-Educator

Counted among the leading exponents of Bharatanatyam today, Ramya combines legacy, expertise and experience. A protégé of two exponents of Indian dance form Ramya is recognized as a capable performer, choreographer, educator and a torch bearer of this art, who blends tradition with innovation.

Ramya has been a practicing artist for over 40 years, an educator for 32 years, and is one of few U.S.-based Bharatanatyam artists invited annually to headline the prestigious December Season in Chennai, India—an honor reserved only for the most accomplished artists in the field. She is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Nrithyanjali Institute of Dance, a 501c3 arts organization, headquartered in New Jersey.

Ramya has performed at numerous prestigious global venues including the Madras Music Academy, International Fringe Festival, Asia Society, Lincoln Center, and Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana to name a few. She received the Artist Fellowship Award for Choreography from NJSCA and Mid Atlantic Foundation of Arts in 2008 and 2023. She was also recognized as a Master Teaching Artist by NJSCA. The Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey even passed a joint resolution recognizing Ramya for her commitment, dedication, and achievement in the arts.

Awards

• NJSCA New Jersey Heritage Fellow – FY ’26
• She is an ‘A’ grade (Doordarshan) ICCR empaneled artist
• TN State awardee (Kalaimamani) and a roaster artist, YA

She has received the Artist Fellowship Award for Choreography twice from Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and is recognized as a master teaching artist by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, besides she has received the Nadanamamani, & Nrithya Seva Mani titles. Ramya has received the Dodge for Dance and Arts for Learning grants thrice to offer arts residencies at public/private schools. She has conducted lec/demo at numerous schools, colleges, and libraries reaching out several audience members per year. She was a visiting faculty appointment at Rutgers University and at Sarah Lawrence College. Ramya released two video series, a tribute to her Guru S K Rajarathnam showcasing his legacy and work. Ramya along with Nrithyanjali has fundraised over $200000 for various charities including Tsunami and Haiti relief funds, The American Red Cross etc. Ramya has also put together over 25 productions, with unique contexts and culturally responsive themes such as:

• Journey through Genre a joint production with Flamenco dancers and musicians
• Rhythm in the Soul a collaborative work with African dancers and drummers
• Nritya Katha an impressive dance storytelling
• Artistic Expose of Emotions, presenting ancient Sangam Literature

Press Comments

Ms. Ramnarayan delivered a far wider selection of the physical, rhythmic and communicative range of her idiom. The soles of Ms. Ramnarayan’s smaller feet often slapped the floor with greater impact and her rhythm had terrific authority. – Alastair Macaulay, The New York Times

Ms. Ramnarayan delivered a far wider selection of the physical, rhythmic and communicative range of her idiom. The soles of Ms. Ramnarayan’s smaller feet often slapped the floor with greater impact and her rhythm had terrific authority. – The New York Times

Ramnarayan avoids histrionics, and while her performance depends upon alternating impressions of Mandodari’s admiration for her late husband and disbelief at his defeat, one of the most effective moments is the lingering pause she takes, recoiling from her discovery and allowing the dreadful truth to sink in. Robert Johnson, NJ ARTS

Ramya Ramnarayan’s deft exposition of a spectrum of sentiments reflected the considerable homework put into internalizing the finer aspects of Bharatanatyam. Her nritta is graceful and does not compromise on energy and is well supported by neat postures and clear sounding footwork. Ramya excels in abhinaya with her innate expertise…. – The Hindu

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