Rangoli Dance Company
Rangoli Dance Company features ‘Bharatanatyam’, the vibrant dance form that has its origins in south India. Drawing from the myth and spirituality of the cultural heritage, artistic directors Malathi Iyengar & Lakshmi Iyengar create dance landscapes that dwell in both traditional and secular, and rhythm and stillness. The dances convey a sense of reverence & mystery and are offered in the spirit of universal celebration.
Dancers
Sheila Aula
Sheila, under the guidance of guru, Malathi Iyengar, embarked on her dance journey in 2003. She expanded her skills by studying Abhinaya from Bragha Bessell, Yoga from Ranjith Babu, Dance Theory from Neewin Hershall, and Folk Dances from Murali Mohan Kalvakalva. Since her Arangetram in 2007, she's performed in various Rangoli Dance Company productions. Sheila, a Rangoli Artistic Merit Award recipient, serves as a Dance Instructor at the Rangoli Foundation for Art and Culture and has managed backstage production for the company.
With a BA in Global Health, Sheila has devoted the past decade to Graduate Medical Education. As Vice President of Education & Placement at Residents Medical, she guides International & Foreign Medical Graduates in their journeys to Residency and Fellowship in the United States.
Beyond her medical consulting role, Sheila passionately instructs group fitness, specializing in Zumba. She utilizes her platform for philanthropy, organizing annual charity events for the national breast cancer foundation and various other nonprofit groups.
Vyshnavi Bala Aysola
Vyshnavi Bala Aysola is a visual artist, dancer and teaching artist based in the San Fernando Valley. She works as an artist of color to discuss issues of mental health, immigration and being first-generation Indian American.
As a teaching artist Vyshnavi works with the City of Los Angeles at the Canoga Park Youth Center to positively impact communities through the arts. She has managed the annual Dia de Los Muertos festival since 2018. The weekend-long festival sees 700+ in attendance and is a place where families and friends gather to honor ancestors and culture. Vyshnavi also helped kickstart the San Fernando Valley Art Book Fair which focuses on fostering relationships between independent publishers, SFV-based artists and the public.
Under the guidance of Guru Malathi Iyengar, Vyshnavi began her journey in Bharatnatyam in 2001. She has attended workshops offered by master artists from India, including Abhinaya with Bragha Bessell, yoga with Renjith Babu Choorakkad and Indian folk dances with Murali Mohan Kalvakalva.
Vyshnavi has a BA in Studio Art with a concentration in Textile Design and Digital Media and a BA in Art History with a focus in Indian Art from San Francisco State University. She is currently working on acquiring her Masters in School Counseling.
Nina Raji Krishnan
Nina Raji Krishnan has been studying Bharatanatyam under guru Malathi Iyengar’s guidance since 2016, and has been performing with the Rangoli Dance Company since 2019. After completing her solo dance debut, she has continued to strengthen her Bharatanatyam training and is excited to grow as a dancer. Guru Malathi Iyengar has inspired Nina to develop a love and interest for the art form, as well as the aesthetics and culture that come along with it. Under her Guru’s mentorship, she has also learned the values of organization, focus, and to carry herself with poise. Nina works to deepen her knowledge of the rich culture surrounding Bharatanatyam and is thankful for her privilege in being able to study such an ancient art form.
Anshu Voruganti
Anshu Voruganti has been learning dance with Malathi Iyengar since 2011 and performed her solo dance debut in 2018. Under her guidance, she learned the basics of Bharatanatyam, how to train for an Arangetram, and how to become a performer. While also learning dance Anshu was also exposed to music, culture, customs, and visual arts as a whole. In her years with Rangoli, she has participated in many performances as well as productions such as “Sacred Geometry”, “Vahanas”, “Viriboni”, and “Offering”. Each production inspires her way of thinking as both a person and a dancer. Productions that express uncommon ideas but still stick to the traditions and classical style have created the most impact on her dance journey. Anshu has learned She is very honored to be part of Rangoli Dance Company and cherishes every moment and performance.
Shivani Aysola
Shivani Lakshmi Aysola is a dancer and community activist working at the intersection of aesthetics and social justice. Shivani’s work has allowed her to advocate for refugees on behalf of the United Nations High Commission, teach digital filmmaking to underserved youth in South India, and implement sustainable design projects combatting homelessness in her hometown of Los Angeles.
Shivani began studying Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of guru Malathi Iyengar in 1997 and as a senior Rangoli company dancer has performed throughout California. She has also been fortunate to study abhinaya under guru Bragha Bessel, traditional folk dance under Murali Mohan Kalvakalva and yoga under Renjith Babu Choorakkad.
Shivani has a BA in Politics and a BA in Italian Literature from the University of California Santa Cruz along with advanced certification in Renaissance Art & Architecture from the Università degli Studi di Firenze.
Hema Iyer
Hema Iyer is a disciple of Guru Malathi Iyengar of the Rangoli Dance Company and Guru Mani of Kalasadan Institute, India. Since her Arangetram in 2004, she has performed as a senior Dancer of RDC in many of Iyengar’s choreographic works at premier venues in the USA and India. Her seminal performances include major Rangoli productions like “Kodhai’s Dream”, “Patanjali”, and “Shivaya”. She was part of an ensemble of Rangoli dancers nominated for the Lester Horton Award for their performance in “Ragamalika Varnam” in 2005. Hema is also a recipient of the Elaine Weissman LA Treasures Award for Traditional artists, presented by the LA department of cultural affairs. Hema is proficient in Indian folk dances and Carnatic music. She holds an advanced degree in Medical Lab Technology, is a committed special-education teacher at LVUSD, and is passionate about physical fitness.
Nishitha Viswanathan
Nishitha Viswanathan commenced her Bharatanatyam education in 2002 under the guidance of Guru Malathi Iyengar, and has performed in a number of company productions. She has attended workshops offered by master artists from India, including yoga with Renjith Babu Choorakkad, abhinaya with Bragha Bessell, and Indian folk dances with Murali Mohan Kalvakalva.
In 2012, Nishitha founded a 501(c)(3) organization with over 120 members and alumni. Chosen as Santa Barbara’s Organization of the Year (2016) out of 600+ organizations, her co-founder and she are working towards developing and bringing sustainable, low cost technology solutions to rural healthcare settings in India. Their team also collaborates with high profile South Asian artists to host events in order to fund education for children across India. Built on the foundations and inspiration of her guru and family, she continues to pursue her passion for the arts, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship through this endeavor.
UCSB alumna and 2016 graduate, Nishitha began working in clinical cardiology research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. This exposure strengthened her compassion for impacting patient outcomes, leading her to pursue a career in business strategy in the healthcare technology industry.
Currently living in Los Angeles, Nishitha can be seen reading, drawing, or practicing yoga in her spare time. She aspires to deepen her knowledge of Bharatanatyam, and advance her training at the Rangoli Dance Company to uphold the rich education she has been so fortunate to receive.