Arts Leadership
The arts have always been at the center of my life — a space where discipline meets imagination and tradition meets innovation. Through organizations like KalaArangam, Margam Dance Company, and Abhinaya STL, I’ve worked to build platforms that nurture creativity, mentorship, and cultural exchange. Over the years, I’ve directed productions, curated festivals, and trained students who carry forward the values of rigor, expression, and community. My goal as an arts leader is simple: to create spaces where artists and audiences can connect deeply, where South Asian classical arts continue to evolve with integrity, and where every project — from a classroom to a stage — becomes a conversation between heritage and the present moment.
Learn more about each initiative by visiting their dedicated pages -- linked below.
Founder & Executive Director
2014 - Present
Dance has always been my language — a way to tell stories and connect deeply with culture. Through Margam Dance Company, I teach and choreograph Bharatanatyam, drawing from the Pandanallur and Vazhavoor banis and the influences of my Kathak training in the Jaipur gharana. I first began this journey in Seattle with Abhinay School of Dance and Music and later co-founded Abhinay Fine Arts to give artists and students more opportunities to perform and grow. After moving to St. Louis, I continued that mission through KalaArangam and Margam, working closely with my daughter Megha to create, teach, and keep the tradition alive in new and inspiring ways.
St.Louis, MO
Founder & Executive Director
2014 - Present
I started KalaArangam in 2014 as a way to bring together everything I love about art, design, and culture under one creative space. It’s a platform that allows me to explore South Asian artistic expression in modern life — where flexibility, entrepreneurship, and individuality all have room to thrive.
St.Louis, MO
Founder & Director
September 2007 – November 2015
When I founded Abhinay School of Dance and Music in 2006, my goal was to create a space where students could experience Bharatanatyam not just as technique, but as storytelling and discovery. Together with my co-Guru, Preetha Anand, we guided students to their Arangetram milestones and beyond -- building a strong community around mentorship, discipline, and artistry. That chapter in Seattle remains close to my heart and continues to shape the philosophy behind Margam Dance Company today.
Seattle, WA
President
2025 - Present
As President of Abhinaya STL, I have the privilege of leading one of St. Louis’s oldest Indian classical dance organizations, founded in 1993 to preserve and promote the rich traditions of Bharatanatyam and other classical forms. My focus is on strengthening the organization’s educational and performance programming, building partnerships with local and national institutions, and creating a welcoming platform for both emerging and established artists.
St.Louis, MO
Co-Founder and Program Director
September 2007 – November 2015
As a founder and arts leader, I’ve spent years building platforms that celebrate creativity and community. Through Abhinay Fine Arts and its partner organizations, I’ve worked closely with government agencies, corporations, and local partners to secure annual grants and sustain vibrant cultural programming. I’ve curated and produced performances featuring international and local artists, workshops, exhibitions, and educational camps — all designed to make the arts more accessible and inspiring. From managing hospitality and donor relations to designing branding and digital content myself, I’ve always believed that leadership in the arts means being deeply involved at every level — creative, operational, and human.
Seattle, WA