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Lavanya Gopal- Kalanityam Natyalaya

Our Artistic Director

Lavanya Gopal – Artistic Director, Performer, Choreographer, and Advocate for Inclusivity

Lavanya Gopal is a celebrated artist and the Artistic Director of Kalanityam School of Bharathanatyam, an institution dedicated to cultivating talent in the divine art form of Bharathanatyam. A disciple of distinguished gurus Smt. Rukmini Srinivasan, Smt. Ananthalakshmi Natarajan, and Smt. Padmini Ravi, Lavanya began her journey in Bharathanatyam at the age of six. Her solo debut performance at the age of 10 in Thirukovilur marked the start of her illustrious career.

Lavanya's artistic training extends beyond dance. She studied Carnatic music for eight years under her aunt and guru, Smt. Vijayavalli Rajagopalan, and mastered Nattuvangam under Kalaimamani Uma Dandayudhapani Pillai and Dr. Panruti D. Suresh. She also honed her skills in Bharathanrityam and Chitra Nrithyam with Smt. Anuradha Vikranth, a direct disciple of Dr. Padma Subramanyam.

Her repertoire includes iconic roles such as Krishna in Jayadeva’s Ashtapadi and Andal in Thiruppavai, earning her widespread recognition. Lavanya has choreographed thematic productions like Bhaktha Prahalada, Dashavatharam, Srinivasa Kalyanam, and Thiruppugazh. Her students have excelled under her guidance, with achievements such as winning first place at the international dance competition in Barcelona.

Lavanya’s dedication to spreading the joy and spirituality of Bharathanatyam was recognized when she was selected as the US Cultural Ambassador for the Pravasi Bharathiya Divas in 2021.

In 2017, Lavanya co-founded InFUSE alongside Selvi Pragasam and their families. As parents of neurodiverse children, Lavanya and Selvi are deeply committed to creating inclusive opportunities for children with varied abilities. InFUSE’s programs enhance social and motor skills, self-esteem, and confidence through dance, music, and stage performances. By involving middle and high school volunteers as peers, the initiative fosters meaningful social interactions.

Lavanya believes that the joy and spirituality inherent in Bharathanatyam are gifts from her gurus, and her mission is to make this beautiful art form an enjoyable and enriching experience for all her students. Through Kalanityam and InFUSE, she continues to inspire, nurture, and empower individuals to reach their fullest potential.