ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Kirupanithy Ratneswaran

BIOGRAPHY

Mrs. Kirupanithy Ratneswaran has been learning Bharathanatyam from a very young age. She learnt from Mrs. Kala Ratnasothy in Sri Lanka for about four years and then completed her professional training in six years from Mrs. Suseela Korairo. During her training, she gave many performances, completed her examinations, won several regional competitions in Sri Lanka and her completed her graduation. After grade 10, Kirupanithy Ratneswaran began teaching while she completed her high school diploma. Kirupanithy had the privilege of teaching dance at her own high school. In 1983, Kirupanithy had move to India to pursue post professional training in dance at the Bharatha Choodamani Academy of fine arts under the eminent Guru Adyar K. Lakshman.

In 1985, Kirupanithy moved to Germany where she toured as a professional dance artist. As there were no Bharatanatyam dance teachers in Germany at that time, many people had requested Kirupanithy teach the form. And so, on January 22nd 1986 she began her own school of professional bharatanatyam training. As more students graduated from her school, they began dancing professionally alongside Kirupanithy. In 1993, Kirupanithy published her first book, “Bharatha Muthirai” which is a book of dance theory from grade one to seven. 

In 1993, Kirupanithy moved to Canada and opened the Canadian branch of her school “Laya Bhava Dance Academy.” Many returning students had joined the school because they had already learnt from her in either Germany or Canada. In 1997, she published her second book “Bharatha Natyam” which is a book consisting of all the adavus with pictures drawn by herself. This book teaches the technique of adavu (detailed analysis of steps). In 1999, Kirupanithy was choreographing many productions (professional and student productions) and has had her group tour in Europe and USA. She has also conducted many workshops and has had the privilege of inviting her Guru Adyar K. Lakshman to conduct workshops at her school. He has conducted workshops in Germany, and in Canada in the summers of 1995, 2005, 2006 and 2009.
She had received the Dance Professional Grant from the Canada Council for the Arts in 2012. Under her artistic direction, Laya Bhava Dance academy also received the Ontario Arts Council dance training grant in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018 for the summer professional training program. Her graduates have performed in prestigious Venus in Chennai notably, Kalakshetra Foundation 2015 & 2019. She received the community engaged arts grant in 2024. She is a continuous learner of dance and has learnt from abhinaya from Bragha Bessell, Indira Kadampi and also learnt at Kuchipudi Art academy. Kirupanithy has also worked in partnership with YRDSB’s schools to conduct dance workshops and community productions.
Kirupanithy has many students who have completed their arangetrams and are now teaching and dancing professionally. In addition, Kirupanithy completed her business accounting diploma in Canada. Kirupanithy has volunteered at Markham Gateway Public School and the Sathya Sai Baba Center to teach bharatanatyam and spread her joy of the art. 

Artistic Accomplishments (Choreography)
 1995 June, “Aanni Ver Dance Drama,” Winston Churchill Auditorium Scarborough
1995 Dec, “Seethanak Kodumai Dance Drama,” Winston Churchill Hall Scarborough, Poovarasam Poluthu.
1996 June & July 3, “Veerath Thai Dance Drama,” Sir John Macdonald Hall -Scarborough & FETNA-St.Louis,
1997 July 4, “Kannaki Kovalan Dance Drama,” US- FETNA Program, Chicago,
1998 Dec “Pandara Vanniyan Dance Drama,” Woburn Collegiate Auditorium, Vanni Sangam
1999 “Mupporulum Muth Tamilum Dance Drama,” Sir Macdonald CI Auditorium Scarborough,
2000 July 3 “Emmai Naame Azhla Vidu Dance Drama,” US FETNA, New Jersey
2001 Jan Ponagalo Pongal Dance Drama, Winston Churchill Auditorium Scarborough,
2002 Dec Krishna Avatharam Dance Drama, Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple, Mississauga
2006 May Varnam – “Maadhavan Mohananai,” Armenian Youth Center Theater, Toronto
2007 Aug Navarasam, Chinese Cultural Center Theater, Toronto
2007 Aug Varnam – “ Kumara swami vara solladi”, Chinese Cultural Center, Toronto
2010 May Pushpanjali, Middlefield Collegiate Institute Auditorium, Markham
2011 May Easterful, Middlefield Collegiate Institute Auditorium, Markham
2012 June Krishna Avatharam Dance Drama 2, Yorkwood Public Library Theater, Toronto
2012 Aug Shanmuga kanthanam, Vaughan City Playhouse Theater, Vaughan
2014 June Ramar Navarasam, Milliken Mills High School
Grants and Awards
2004 Tamil Television Award
2012 Varasithy Temple Artist Award
2012 10 Years Ontario Volunteer Award Recipient 2012
2013 Canada Council For The Arts Dance Professionals Grant Recipient
2014 Jeyanjali International Dance Teacher Award, Croyden, England
2013 Ontario Arts Council - dance training grant for the summer professional training program
2014 Ontario Arts Council - dance training grant for the summer professional training program
2015 Ontario Arts Council - dance training grant for the summer professional training program
2018 Ontario Arts Council - dance training grant for the summer 
2024 Ontario Arts Council - Community Engaged Art Project
Published Works
1993 Bharatha Muthirai – Dance Theory Book Published, Dortmund Germany
1997 Bharatha Natyam – Dance Practical and Theory

​Review:
” Smt. Kirupanithy Ratneswaran is one of Toronto's leading dance gurus.”When she trains someone to perform their arangetram, you bet these recitals are truly worth watching! Kirupanithy Ratneswaran is among the top 3-4 choreographers. Her choreography and style is quite different then what people are used to in Toronto. When I first saw Sahana Ratneswaran, it was such a pleasure to see such a dignified, beautiful and delicate girl trained so well. People know that Kirupanithy Ratneswaran has high standards, and it ensures the attendance. " 

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