Dedicated to young dancers!
Across the U.S., there are many organizations that support the Indian arts by sponsoring events by visiting artists from India. There are very few devoted to artists who are residents of the U.S. and even fewer devoted to the younger generation of Indian artists. This was the impetus for forming IDEA more than 13 years ago. With new leadership and vision, IDEA has started supporting Central Texas dancers to put on free performances for the community! See photos from Agasthya, produced in November 2021.
Meet the Board:
Ananda Nadayogi
President (2021-2023)
Ananda (also known as Manu Narayan) is a well-known violinist and instills a love for learning and curiosity among students, combined with his knowledge and experience in yoga. He is a graduate from the University of Madras and completed many years of intense Gurukula training under the legendary Sri. Lalgudi. G. Jayaraman and his son Sri. Lalgudi GJR Krishnan in Chennai. Currently he works with Samspra Academy and has provided violin accompaniment for many Bharatanatyam arangetrams.
Ravi Pothukuchy
Treasurer (2021-2023)
Ravi has been a resident of Austin for over 21 years and was an IT professional. He has done photography for the arangetrams of over 80 dance students, beginning in 2009. He has been associated with cultural organizations from his student days and notable among them was the Social and Cultural Secretary of the Post Graduate School of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. He is currently an executive member of the Indian Classical Music Circle of Austin (ICMCA).
Kanaka Sathasivan
Secretary (2021-2023)
Kanaka is an Austin native and Bharathanatyam teacher. Since 2000, she has been teaching with Natyalaya School of Dance, and has helped dozens of students through arangetram training. She also is founder and director of the award-winning lighting company Natya Sabhai Arts, which also provides free training in theater tech to young girls and women. They have assisted with over 150 shows since 2009. She is currently a public health communications expert at Texas Health Institute.
Hemanth Bhagawatula
Director (2021-2023)
Hemanth has been living in Austin since 2006. He provides technical and audio support to many non-profits in the area, along with audio support for Arangetrams and other shows. He has also served on the executive committee at Austin Hindu Temple and has been a driving force behind the growth and development of the community center and its technical capabilities. He has been working for the past 20 years at Kapsch TraffiicCom, and is currently a Systems Architect.