Natya Dance Theatre

06/18/2026

A passion nurtured over a decade takes center stage.

Natya Dance Theatre warmly invites you to the Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Rishika Rajendran Chandra, disciple of Smt. Hema Rajagopalan and Smt. Krithika Rajagopalan.

Having begun her journey at the age of four, Rishika has spent over a decade learning, performing, and growing with Natya Dance Theatre. What began as a fascination has blossomed into a lifelong love for Bharatanatyam and a deep appreciation for its timeless traditions.

Join us on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Athenaeum Center, Chicago, as we celebrate this special milestone and an afternoon of dance, devotion, and artistry.

An Arangetram is a moment; the Margam is a lifetime.

06/18/2026

Two sisters. One stage. A legacy that comes full circle.

Natya Dance Theatre warmly invites you to the Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Maya Singh and Neha Singh, to be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Athenaeum Center, Chicago.

Having begun their dance journey at the age of five under the guidance of Smt. Hema Rajagopalan and Smt. Krithika Rajagopalan, Maya and Neha now celebrate this milestone with a moment that makes the occasion even more special, they will be sharing the stage with their mother, an alumna of Natya Dance Theatre, who performed her own Arangetram 35 years ago.

A heartwarming celebration of family, tradition and the enduring beauty of Bharatanatyam, this occasion reflects how the arts continue to connect generations and keep a cherished heritage alive.

Join us as we celebrate an afternoon of devotion, dance and a legacy lovingly passed on from mother to daughters.

06/11/2026

Join us for Avatar – Incarnation, a Bharatanatyam presentation by Natya Dance Theatre at the Warrenville Park District Multicultural Festival.

Saturday, June 13, 2026
From: 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM
At Warrenville City Hall Complex

We can’t wait to see you there!

06/07/2026

These moments are a celebration of the hard work, discipline, and passion our students bring to their dance journey.

At our 51st Spring Showcase on May 3, 2026, our students took the stage with grace and confidence, making us proud every step of the way.

Thank you to Ms. Sujatha Vijayaraghavan for being part of this special occasion.

05/28/2026

05/24/2026

Flowering Tree, inspired by A Flowering Tree, a Kannada folktale popularized by A.K. Ramanujan, is one of Natya’s memorable full length productions that brought Bharatanatyam into a rich theatrical space.

Premiered in 2011, the work tells the story of Kumudha and her sisters, whose lives change through a divine gift that allows Kumudha to transform into a flowering tree. What begins as a blessing slowly reveals a deeper lesson about greed, balance, and our responsibility toward
nature.

With twenty dancers, live narration, storytelling, and an original score, Flowering Tree became more than a dance production. It became a powerful reminder of conservation, preservation, and the connection between all living things.

The production also toured through several cities, sharing its message with wider audiences
and leaving a lasting impact.

As we look back at Natya’s productions over the years, Flowering Tree continues to bloom with meaning and relevance.

05/22/2026

We are proud to share that Hema Rajagopalan was honoured with an award for Outstanding Cultural Leadership, presented by Maria Pappas and the United Punjabis of America.
This recognition celebrates her enduring contribution to the arts, culture, and community, a proud moment for the entire Natya Dance Theatre family.

05/16/2026

Some days in dance are quieter!

Sitting together, understanding expression, meaning and intention, learning what each movement holds before it is performed.

With Hema Rajagopalan, the learning begins here, long before the stage!

05/11/2026

Behind every dancer is a mother who made the journey possible.

From bringing them to class to waiting through rehearsals to standing quietly backstage
they are always there, even when unseen

Moms of Natya is our way of celebrating these women
their strength, their patience and the love that shaped every dancer you see today.

A small thank you to the ones who were there for every step!

05/08/2026

A glimpse into Navia Natarajan’s portrayal of Panchali, a powerful moment from her upcoming performance.
Witness this interpretation unfold as part of her full margam.

Sunday, 10th May, 2026 at 6PM
Happening at North Central College, Pfeiffer Hall, Naperville, IL

Presented by Natya Dance Theatre
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