A BIT ABOUT US
Choros Charas – Destination for Arts
Choros Charas is an initiative to teach Bharatanatyam, which is one of the Indian Classical dance forms. This initiative was founded by Guru Smt Swathi Lakshmanan in the year 2019 in San Francisco California, USA.
Bharathanatyam, One of the Indian Classical Dances and an Ancient Art form, has its origin from the South Indian temples and the essence of the 4 Vedas namely Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharvana Veda. The Bharathanatyam is also called as the Panchama Veda since the Natya Sastra evolved from the 4 Vedas. This is an art performed in the temples and palaces in praise of god in front of the deities.
Like all major Classical Dance forms of India, Bharathanatyam also follows the 3 major concepts of performances called Nritta, Nritya, and Natya. In Nritta, the artist depicts the Rhythmic aspects of dance, in Nritya, the artist portrays the Expression/Abinaya aspects of dance and in Natya, the artist incorporates the nritta and Nritya aspects and build whole team performance. And hence the Bharatanatyam got its name itself, where Bha-Ra-Tha means Bhavam(the expression) Ragam(The music) and Talam(The rhythm) and Natyam means Performance. So the Bharathanatyam means the bundle of Music, Expression, and Dance presented in the praise of God.
OUR MOTO
ASATHO MA SADHGAMAYA
THAMASO MA JYOTHIRGAMAYA
MRUTHYOR MA AMRUTHAMGAMAYA
OM SHANTHI SHANTHI SHANTHIHI
-BRIHADHARANAYAKA UPANISHAD
MEANING
THE ART WILL TRANSFORM,
FROM THE NON-BEING TO THE TRUE BEING,
FROM THE DARKNESS TO THE LIGHT,
FROM DEATH TO THE IMMORTALITY,
AND SPREAD PEACE FOREVER.
OUR FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Guru Swathi Lakshmanan
Introduction
Swathi Lakshmanan, the Founder and Artistic Director of Choros Charas - Destination for Arts, San Francisco California USA is a versatile and experienced Bharathanatyam Dancer based in San Francisco Bay area.
Swathi is a performer, choreographer, and teacher for the past decade. Swathi teaches widely all over the world for all age groups=and she always makes sure the Bani reaches the Students in a very traditional way. Swathi is also a Researcher and an eminent event coordinator who has been recognized by various organizations for her organizational skills.
Awards and Achievements
Swathi Lakshmanan is a recipient of the Prestigious Natya Kala Ratna award by the Gana Mukunda Priya, Chennai, India a well-renowned organization that promotes Arts in India and abroad. Swathi is also an achiever at the Asia Book of Records and India Books of Records for her tremendous skills and for her mega hit Productions Margazhi in San Francisco.
Early Life
Swathi Started her initial Bharathanatyam training at the age of 9 from Guru Shri K Mohanan and Shrimathi Sunitha Mohanan, Who has not just been Gurus but also has been great mentors and a family to Swathi. The motivation and encouragement from her Gurus and family have made Swathi to form an institution to teach and practice Indian Arts in the Overseas as well.
Swathi is a performer, choreographer and teacher. Multi-faceted Swathi teaches widely all over the world utilizing technological power. Her students aged anywhere from 5-50 and she always makes sure to teach them the art in a very traditional way.
The Choros Charas - Destination for Arts has a team of wonderful faculty members to teach Carnatic music and instruments under one single roof.
Swathi Started her initial Bharathanatyam training at the age of 9 from Guru Shri K Mohanan and Shrimathi Sunitha Mohanan, Who has not just been Gurus but also has been great mentors and a family to Swathi. The motivation and encouragement from her Gurus and family have made Swathi to form an institution to teach and practice Indian Arts in the Overseas as well.