Natyalaya School of Arts is an institution of learning for the arts founded by Mrs. Vrinda Sunil in 2006. This center for learning aims to foster an environment and community of diverse individuals who wish to understand, learn, and practice the centuries-old dance forms of Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam. The culturally rooted and vibrant engagements at Natyalaya help young learners connect with and appreciate the richness and depth of Indian traditions and culture. The artists trained and disciplined by Natyalaya’s experienced and accomplished gurus have had the fortune and opportunity to perform stories ranging from eloquent romances to glorious battles from Indian mythological texts and Purāṇas, across numerous venues throughout the United States.
Vrinda Sunil is a gifted danseuse trained under the renowned Kalamandalam Kalyani Kutty (late) and Kala Vijayan in the traditional dance forms of Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam. Her passion for the performing arts shaped her deep interests in both dance and music, leading her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Music from RLV College of Fine Arts, Kerala. Beginning her stage journey at the age of four, Ms. Vrinda’s jathis and thālams have received applause on every stage she performed, in addition to her choreography and creative designs for many productions, including the dance dramas of Shri Swathi Thirunal, Agni, and Kannaki. Since beginning her teaching career at the age of seventeen, she has been a regular presence at dance competitions across the state of Indiana, where she now lives with her husband and two children. Alongside her artistic pursuits, she also works as an IT Project Manager with the State of Indiana.
Beyond preserving, nurturing, and transmitting cultural heritage, the endeavors of Natyalaya have transformed the lives of many individuals and communities across the country. Natyalaya is one of the leading centers for arts education that actively engages in giving back to the community through fundraisers and charity events. One of Ms. Vrinda Sunil’s core philosophies in learning and disseminating the performing arts is: “Blessed are the ones who receive knowledge, and even more blessed are those who are destined to give it.” Her vision, which led to the birth and growth of Natyalaya School of Arts, continues to inspire young seekers—not only to learn these art forms but also to pass them on to the generations that follow, allowing the arts to grow with them.