​Our founder, executive, and artistic director Lakshmi Iyer harnesses a blend of the Pandanallur and Vazhavoor Banis along with the aesthetics from her kathak training in the Jaipur Gharana. 

 

In 2006, she established Abhinay School of Dance and Music in Seattle, creating distinguished productions like Kshetram, which was a collaboration between Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam dancers. in 2007, she co-founded Abhinay Fine Arts, which showcases a variety of established and upcoming talent through opportunities such as performances, competitions, and workshops.

 

Upon moving to St. Louis, she established KalaArangam, an umbrella organization focused on incubtating artistic creativity. As the director of Margam Dance Company, she teaches and choreographs along with her daughter Megha.

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Lakshmi currently also serves as the President of Abhinaya STL, a non-profit established in 1993 with the mission of promoting Indian Classical Dance forms.