MATHURA VISWANATHAN

Mathura Viswanathan is the founder and artistic director of Kaladhaara Arts Academy. Rooted with a strong foundation from eminent Gurus like Kalaimamani Smt. Krishnakumari Narendran, Natanamamani Sri A. Lakshman and Nritya Choodamani Smt. Priyadarsini Govind, her abhinaya skills were groomed under Padma Vibhushan Smt. Kalanidhi Narayan. Presently, Mathura is delving into learning Karanas under the mentorship of Guru Sri. N. Srikanth to enhance her learning in this art form. Having been initiated into the art of nattuvangam by the exponent Bhagavatula Seetharama Sharma, she continues to hone her nattuvangam skills with Mridangam vidwan Sri. Nagai P.Sriram.

Her very notable achievements include the following:

• - Dharmavarapu Seetharama Anjaneyalu award as the best all-rounder (2004)
• - Balasaraswathi prize for best performance (2005)
• - Music Academy's Spirit of Youth Best Dancer award (2006)
• - Balasaraswathi endowment award (2016)
• - Kartik Fine Arts' Nrithyajyoti award of excellence (2017)

With a vision to create an authentic Arts academy, Mathura has formed a robust core faculty team and formulated an intensive curriculum streamlined towards passing on the cultural heritage to the next generation. Under her proficient leadership, Kaladhaara is blossoming into enriching the greater Sacramento community with classes in Bharatanatyam, Bhajans and collaborative dance group meet ups. Mathura has also been focusing her creative energy into choreographing and directing group productions as well as enabling her students to grow into solo performing artists.