The Art & The Guru

A Living Tradition

Bharatanatyam carried through discipline, devotion, and the guru-shishya bond.

Bharatanatyam

Rhythm, melody, expression, and sculpture-like movement.

Bharatanatyam is one of India's oldest and most revered classical dance forms, with roots in South India stretching back over two thousand years. Through precise footwork, expressive hand gestures, facial storytelling, and devotional imagery, it gives visible form to music, poetry, mythology, and feeling.

Bhava

Emotion and expression.

Raga

Melody and musical color.

Tala

Rhythm and time.

Guru Jaynti Seshan

Jaynti Akka · Founder, Apsaras Dance Company

Guru Jaynti Seshan comes from a family of musicians and connoisseurs of the fine arts. She graduated in Bharatanatyam from the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society and continued her training at Bharata Kalanjali under the renowned Dhananjayans.

After moving to Connecticut, Smt. Jaynti founded Apsaras Dance Company to share and preserve the rich legacy of Bharatanatyam. Fondly known to her students as Jaynti Akka, she has guided generations of dancers with rigor, warmth, and devotion.

What Is An Arangetram?

The word Arangetram comes from Tamil and means "ascending the stage." It marks the dancer's first full-length formal performance after years of training.

It is not an ending, but a beginning: a moment when the student steps forward with the blessings of the guru, family, musicians, and community.

The Guru-Shishya Bond

Bharatanatyam is transmitted through the sacred relationship between teacher and student. The guru teaches not only choreography, but discipline, musicality, expression, humility, and reverence for the art.