Our Faculty

Meet Vrinda! 

Natyalaya School of Arts was founded by Vrinda Sunil in 2006 in Carmel, Indiana. Vrinda teaches Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from RLV College of Fine Arts in Kerala.

She began learning Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam at the age of four and trained in both art forms for more than 14 years. Vrinda’s Bharatanatyam guru was Smt. Kalamandalam Kala Vijayan. Her Mohiniyattam guru was one of the pioneers of the art form, the late Smt. Kalamandalam Kalyani Kutty Amma, along with her granddaughters Smt. Smitha Rajan and Smt. Sandhya Rajan.   

 Meet Sharmila!

 Sharmila Jothirajah is a passionate Bharatanatyam
dancer trained under Smt. Vrinda Sunil. She is a faculty member at Natyalaya School of Arts and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and love of dance with her students. She has also choreographed and performed at numerous events throughout her dance career and has been part of many Natyalaya School of Arts productions. She currently works at Corteva Agriscience.  

Meet Archana!

Archana started learning Bharatanatyam (Kalakshetra Style) at the age of 8 under Guru Nivedhita Ranganekar in Indianapolis. She completed her Arangetram at the age of 18 and took a hiatus from her dance education. In 2023, she joined Natyalaya and began learning Bharatanatyam under Guru Vrinda Sunil and Guru Sharmila Jothirajah. Since joining, Archana has participated in several stage shows and productions by Natyalaya. At the beginning of 2025, she started teaching as a way of rebuilding her foundation and sharing her passion with the younger students.

Archana is a graduate of Ball State University and currently works as an Interior Designer in the Indianapolis area.   

 Meet Sreelaxmi!

I have been dancing for as long as I can remember, beginning my journey under the gentle guidance of my grandmother, who was my first teacher. I have been formally trained in Bharatanatyam since 2nd grade under several esteemed gurus, and I completed my Arangettam in 9th grade. Dance has been a constant source of joy and expression in my life, and it continues to shape who I am. Alongside Bharatanatyam, I am also training in Mohiniyattam, deepening my understanding of classical dance and its rich traditions. Dancing is my passion, and I am committed to sharing that passion with my students.
 

 Meet Priya!

My journey into the world of Bharatanatyam is deeply rooted in my heritage and a lifelong passion. Bharathnatayam is a spiritual language expressing timeless stories and devotion.  

​I have been formally training for 3+ years at Natyalaya School of Arts immersing myself in the adavus (basic steps), abhinaya (expression), and intricate rhythmic patterns that define this art. Thanks to my teachers Vrinda Sunil and Sharmila Jothirajah on giving me opportunity to share my knowledge and passion with others.

​However, my true dance foundation began much earlier. From my childhood, I was captivated by dance, nurtured by my first and most influential teacher: my mother. A dedicated Bharatanatyam dancer herself, she serves as my Guru, guiding me through the nuances of grace, discipline, and devotion that are essential to a true performance.

​I am honored to share this divine art with you today.  

 Meet Anjali!
  

Anjali Pillai began her Bharatanatyam training in 2002 at the age of five under Smt. Sunitha Yogananda, learning the Kalakshetra style of the art form. In 2006, she began learning Mohiniyattam at Natyalaya School of Arts, and in 2007, she continued her Bharatanatyam education with Smt. Vrinda Sunil, this time in the Vazhavoor style.

In 2011, Anjali began teaching both art forms at Natyalaya to younger students. She has been actively involved in many of Natyalaya School of Arts’ productions, including Swathi Thirunal and Agni. Anjali performed her Arangetram in both Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam on September 21, 2013.

She is also trained in Carnatic music and is currently learning Kuchipudi. Anjali is a graduate of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).