A Non-Profit Corporation 501(c)3 To Preserve and Promote Classical Art Forms
About Ambika Raman
Ambika, daughter of Srimati B. Vijayalakshmi and Sri G. Venkitachalam Iyer, was born and raised in Calcutta. At the age of 10 she started her training in Bharathanatyam under
Srimati Neeraja Pal, an accomplished dancer in both the Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi traditions. After learning dance for 5yrs, Ambika gave her solo debut performance to a small and intimate gathering of family and friends.
She has performed extensively in and around
Calcutta for different associations like the
Andhra Association and the Mysore association.
She had the privilege to perform and present a solo recital in the presence of the Governor of Sikkim and other esteemed dignitaries in Gangtok. Ambika was placed third in the annual competition organized by the West Bengal Sangeeth Academy in the year 1987.
Ambika has obtained advanced instruction under Smt Ramya Ramnarayan, Sri Adyar Lakshman, Smt Kalanadhi Narayanan and Smt Priyadarshini Govind. She still continues her advance training with Smt. Priyadarsini Govind.
She also studied Carnatic music under the guidance of the renowned Sri Anantharaman and
Srimati Champakavalli of Calcutta.
Ambika obtained her Bachelor’s degree and had a career in computer marketing. After marriage in 1989 she moved to London, UK for a period of 3yrs. Ambika then moved to Dayton, NJ and joined Srimati Ramya Ramnarayan’s Nrithyanjali Institute of Dance as dance instructor.
In 2005 Ambika founded her own institution Ambika Raman Dance Academy for propagating Indian classical art forms, namely Bharathanatyam and
other folk forms. The Academy conducts Annual
Day recital for the parents and close members
of the students. The Academy obtained its
Non profit status in 2009 and is now known as
Ambika Raman Performing Arts Academy.
Ambika has given several public dance performances in the US. Her students have participated for the ASHA Foundation for the Women for the past 3 years. Besides this the Academy has performed for the following organizations:
Tamil Sangam Nadana Vizha annually
Sri Poornatrayeesha organization
KHNA Fundraiser
Bridgewater Temple Pongal celebrations
Adi Parasakthi peetham Fundariser
Onam celebrations at the Bridgewater temple
Shivaratri Dance festival at the Sri Krishna Vrindavan temple 2013
Bridgewater Temple Sankranthi Celebrations 2013
On the special request from the West Windsor senior center for their India day celebrations Ambika Raman choreographed a special 30 minute thematic presentation which was well received by the community.
The academy has also presented the performances of Shirisha Shashank in 2011, “Margam” by the world-renowned dancer Rama Vaidyanathan in 2012, “Krishna a divine experience” by Shijith Nambiar and Parvathi Menon and “Deva Nruthya- The Celestial Art of the Ancient” by Lavanya Ananth in 2013
She has an extensive vision for the future of her Academy and to help propagate Bharathanatyam and other Indian classical and folk art forms in New Jersey.
