Margam Dance Company

Classical roots. Contemporary reach.

Journey

Margam is a Bharatanatyam performance company and school — making original work, training dancers across all levels & backgrounds, and bringing this art into spaces across St. Louis and beyond.

Led by Guru Lakshmi Iyer and Megha Sanjay, we've spent over two decades doing this seriously, creatively, and with one goal: to let every dancer shine.

“It was wonderful to see such beautiful Bharatanatyam. The dance pieces she selected were very suitable for the event — graceful, devotional, and deeply moving.”

- Audience Member

Excited to contribute to Webster University's dance department this semester!

#STLArts #ClassicalDance #SouthAsianArts #StlIndian #DanceCommunity #stldancers #bharatanatyam #bharatanatyamdance #margamdancecompany

Snippet from the Simhendramadhyamam Thillana

Choreography: Guru Lakshmi Iyer

#StLouisArts #DanceCommunity #SouthAsianArts #MargamDanceCompany #Bharatanatyam #IndianClassicalDance #stldancers

We welcome dancers of all ages, backgrounds, and training levels — from absolute beginners to those ready for advanced work or looking to grow into company-style training. Our classes are designed to build strong technique, artistic clarity, and a real sense of community for dancers in St. Louis and beyond.
For out-of-state (intermediate and above) students, we’re opening a limited number of Zoom spots as well!
If you’re looking for a place to train, belong, and grow… you’re invited.

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#MargamDanceCompany #DanceEnrollment #Bharatanatyam #IndianClassicalDance #StLouisArts #DanceCommunity #SouthAsianArts #JoinTheJourney #AdvancedTraining #ZoomDanceClasses #BharatanatyamClass #bharatanatyamclasses #stldancers #stldancecompany #stlindian #stlart #stlarts #stlmade #stlart

@hindutempleofstl @muruganstl @missouriganeshatemple @stlouisarts @stlitspouses @balviharstl @st.louis_kwality

A snippet from the Shadakshara Kouthuvam by our student Anisha.

A small slice of the many stories we’ve told on stage over the years.

Kshetram.

#MargamDanceCompany #STLArts #ArtInMotion #DanceStorytelling #seattlebharatanatyam #ClassicalDance #SouthAsianArts #seattle #StlIndian

A first-of-its-kind thematic production that brought together five senior artists across Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, and Kuchipudi — each interpreting the spirit of five sacred kshetrams through their own tradition.
The production celebrated diversity within classical form, collaboration among teachers, and the unity of spiritual expression through dance.
Audiences and peers alike praised Kshetram for its originality, artistic integrity, and the rare dialogue it created between styles.

Always wonderful collaborating with our dear friends:
@mohiniperformingarts @kalaalayaschoolofdancewa

#StlIndian #SouthAsianArts #MargamDanceCompany #IndianClassicalDance #Bharatanatyam #ClassicalDance #STLArts #ArtInMotion #DanceStorytelling #seattlebharatanatyam #ThenAndNow #seattle

Our programming bridges traditional and contemporary spaces — from temple stages and cultural centers to universities and public festivals — engaging audiences from all walks of life.

We also believe dance is for everyone. Our students span a wide range of ages and backgrounds, and our classes, workshops, and creative programs invite learners to explore Bharatanatyam not just as movement, but as a language of storytelling, culture, and contemporary spaces.

#STLArts #DanceStorytelling #ClassicalDance #MargamDanceCompany #StlIndian #SouthAsianArts #IndianClassicalDance #Bharatanatyam #DanceCommunity #stldancers #DanceEnrollment #bharatanatyamclasses

@dancing._.megha Megha just wrapped up a semester as a Supplemental Instructor for pre-professional students at @cocastl , and it’s been such a rewarding experience. Teaching abhinaya, nritta, and the foundations of Bharatanatyam — while also comparing movement styles and technique across traditions — opened up some genuinely exciting conversations in the studio.
Grateful for the curiosity, the hard work, and the chance to share this art with a new community of dancers.

#MargamDanceCompany #COCAStLouis #Bharatanatyam #IndianClassicalDance #DanceEducation #Abhinaya #Nritta #SouthAsianArts #STLArts #TeachingDance

Students from the Abhinay School of Dance taking part in the festival's preliminary rounds -- a throwback to our time in Seattle.

In 2010, Lakshmi launched Seattle’s Natya Festival, a first-of-its-kind platform that welcomed dancers across categories—kids, advanced, and senior. Preliminary rounds were evaluated by teachers from across the dance community, and the finals were adjudicated by Rama Vaidyanathan. The festival’s transparent, community-centered format set a benchmark in Washington and inspired similar initiatives across the country.

#IndianClassicalDance #DanceEducation #MargamDanceCompany #Bharatanatyam #seattlebharatanatyam #seattle #STLArts #DanceStorytelling #ClassicalDance #StlIndian #SouthAsianArts #ThenAndNow #DanceCommunity #stldancers

A moment from the archives — grateful for every chance to create and share.

Sister Schools: Margam & KalaAlaya

Two schools, one shared legacy.
What began as Abhinay School of Dance in 2006 has grown into two parallel homes for training and performance. In Seattle, the journey continues as KalaAlaya @kalaalayaschoolofdancewa , led by Preetha. In St. Louis, Lakshmi built KalaArangam, an umbrella for many artistic ventures — and within it, Margam emerged as the dedicated dance company and school.

KalaAlaya and KalaArangam were shaped as mirror names, reflecting their shared roots. Today, Margam and KalaAlaya carry that legacy forward in their own distinct ways, connected by history, artistry, and a commitment to meaningful training.

#MargamDanceCompany #KalaAlaya #DanceLineage #Bharatanatyam #IndianClassicalDance #SouthAsianArts #STLArts #SeattleArts #DanceCommunity #SharedLegacy

Idadhu Padam Thooki Snippet

#STLArts #IndianClassicalDance #MargamDanceCompany #SouthAsianArts #Bharatanatyam #ArtInMotion #ClassicalDance #StLouisArts #StlIndian

Every performance leaves its own imprint. Another one for the memories.

#MargamDanceCompany #Bharatanatyam #IndianClassicalDance #STLArts #SouthAsianArts #DanceStorytelling #ClassicalDance #Nritya #ArtInMotion

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Margam Dance Company

Journey

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