About us
At Nrityalaya Dance Academy, we embody this spirit—where every movement tells a story, and every story connects the dancer to something greater than themselves.
Carrying Forward a Living Tradition
At Nrityalaya Dance Academy, we celebrate the timeless elegance of Bharatanatyam, one of India’s most revered classical dance forms.
Rooted in tradition yet alive with creativity, our academy is dedicated to nurturing dancers of all ages to explore rhythm, expression, and storytelling through movement.
Through a blend of discipline, artistry, and innovation, students are guided to master the intricate footwork, graceful gestures, and powerful expressions that make Bharatanatyam a living art.
More than just dance, Nrityalaya is a journey of confidence, culture, and self-discovery.
Whether you are a beginner taking your first step or a performer perfecting your art, our academy provides a space to learn, create, and shine—carrying forward a heritage that continues to inspire modern expression.
Dance, to me, is devotion in motion. It is where discipline meets joy, and art becomes prayer.” – Ramya Prasad
Meet Our Founder
Vidushi Ramya Prasad Abhijit
She is an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, trained under the renowned Dr. Tulasi Ramachandra in the Madhurya Marga style.
Her performances are known for bringing alive the bhavabhinaya—the deep emotional expression hidden in Sahitya and Sangita.
Her powerful and touching choreography in dance productions and dramas has captivated audiences across India and the USA.
Ramya has performed at several prestigious platforms including Sri Udupi Mutt, JSS Spiritual Mission, Mysore, Navika, Kannada Koota of Northern California, South India Fine Arts, OSAAT, Mandaara Creations, Kasturi Media, and the AKKA World Kannada Conference.
Since 2008, she has directed and performed in Alamelu Iyengar’s productions such as Harinabhisarana, Sri Rama Pattabhisheka, Gokula Nirgamana, Jaya Jaya Vijayee Raghurama, and Seeta Parinaya.
Her artistry has been appreciated by celebrated personalities including Vijay Prakash, M.D. Pallavi, Raghu Dixit, and Kiran Bedi.
Her work at the Children’s Opera in Oakland, CA, also received widespread praise for its creativity and emotional depth.
A Vidwat degree holder in Bharatanatyam with over 25 years of experience, Ramya has also learned the basics of Kathak, enriching her understanding of classical Indian dance forms.
In 2010, she founded Nrityalaya Dance Academy in the Bay Area, USA, where she continues to train and inspire new generations of dancers.
She also co-founded the dance group TAALA, and has held several leadership roles, including Entertainment Chair at AKKA WKC 2014 and KKNC’s 50-year celebration in 2023.
Beyond dance, Ramya is also a Montessori teacher and a popular RJ at Bengaluru Voice Radio in the USA—reflecting her dynamic blend of creativity, leadership, and passion for culture.
Our Source of Inspiration
Dr. Tulasi Ramachandra
Dr. Tulasi Ramachandra is the guiding light and mentor for Nrityalaya School of Dance and Mridangam.
She is the Founder and Director of Nrityalaya Trust, an Academy of Performing Arts established in 1979 in Mysore, of which we proudly serve as a branch.
A true embodiment of artistic excellence, Dr. Tulasi Ramachandra is a multifaceted artiste—a dancer, musician, and scholar, whose mastery over dance, music, and literature continues to inspire generations of students and art lovers alike.
Under her visionary leadership, Nrityalaya has grown into an elite institution that has carved a niche of its own in presenting unique dance productions based on mythological, historical, social, and contemporary themes, both in India and abroad.
Her signature dance style, the graceful and expressive “Maadhurya Maarga”, brings out the natural beauty of Bharatanatyam through supple movements, nimble footwork, and graceful gestures—a hallmark that distinguishes Nrityalaya’s performances across the world.
Dr. Tulasi Ramachandra is also credited with reviving and popularizing the ancient dance forms of Karnataka, namely “Goundali” and “Perani.”
Her immense contributions to the field of performing arts have earned her numerous honors, including the ‘Rajyotsava Award’ and the ‘Karnataka Kalashri’ Award.
A prolific author, she has written several books on dance, including “Pada Gati – Paada Gati,” based on her doctoral thesis.
Over the past 35 years, she has trained countless students who have blossomed into accomplished dancers and teachers, spreading this art form across the globe.
Her legacy continues to inspire the Nrityalaya family to uphold the same standards of excellence, grace, and devotion in every performance and every student’s journey.