Rucha Bhatt

(Founder Director – Kalalayam Nartan Academy)

Actively working in the field of Bharatnatyam since three decades, Mrs. Ruchaben is not just an accomplished dancer but also a successful guru and singer. She has Nritya Visharad (B.A.) in English Literature and Nritya Alankar (M.A.) degrees. She has taken training under the guidance of Guru Mrs. Ilakshiben Thakor, Guru Mr. Bhaskar Menon and Mrs. Radha Bhaskar and trained in Carnatic music with Mrs. Vimlaben Parthsarthi, which is a great blessing.

In order to inculcate and spread the tradition of classical dances like Bharatnatyam and folk dances, she has established “Kalalayam Nartan Academy” which grew into three branches and resulted in helping many young dancers in performing their “Arangetram”. Many international students in Chicago, Japan, Pittsburg, Florida, California, etc. have taken training under her tutelage and given their contribution to this field. Students from Kalalayam too have performed in various countries like Arkansan (America), Los Angeles, Toronto (Canada) and UK

·         Kalalayam’s performers have presented various government organized functions in Ambaji (Adhyashakti Pith), Dwarka (Jagatmandir) Somnath, Dakor, Siddhpur(MatruVanadana).

·          Performed at modhera uttaradha festival organized by government of Gujarat.

·         They have also performed to great appreciation in Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Andhra Pradesh international festivals.

·         Their interviews and programs have been aired on DD Girnar, DD Bharati, ETV, VTV, TV9 etc. channels.

·         They have also done charity shows for many non-profit organizations.

·         Kalalayam itself has organized many festivals to promote dancing as an art form.

·         She has also served as a judge at state level, at youth festivals and other shows.

·         She has created many dance dramas in Sanskrit like

Ø  Sarveshwari

Ø  Parvati Parinay

Ø  Ramayan

Ø  Shapvimochan

Ø  Haricharitam etc.

Other notable contributions:

·         Arangetram by Muslim Student.

·         6 to 62 yrs. old performers have given dance performances.

·         Arangetram by 57 yrs. old lady and a respectable place in Limca Book of Records.

·         Presented Bharatnatyam in presence of PM Shri Narendrabhai Modi in 2009.

·     Many felicitations from various organizations including Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

·        Felicitated by Shri Murari Bapu and held place in the list of Top 100 most powerful people of Gujarat in the year 2010 with a place in “the Power 100” book.

·      Kalalayam student recently won an award in the International Dance Festival organized in Kurnul, Andhra Pradesh.

·         Awarded “Gaurav Puraskar-2015” by Gujarat state Government.

·         Contact no.:- 9879785014, 079-26608514.