BY VEENA RAO
When a few dancers began gathering in 2024 to practice adavus—the foundational steps of Bharatanatyam—they had little idea that their weekend sessions would evolve into one of Atlanta’s most spirited new arts collectives. Atlanta Adavu, founded by dancer Rachita Iyer, began as a simple wish: to recreate the sense of belonging and shared purpose she’d seen in similar dance circles around the world.
Today, Atlanta Adavu is part of a growing global network of more than fifteen “adavu meetups,” where dancers come together not to compete or perform, but to practice, exchange, and celebrate community through the classical art form.
Atlanta Adavu is guided by four core members — Rachita Iyer (Founder and Executive Director), Saidharshana Dhantu (Performance Cohort Coordinator), Ruth Prithika (Media Coordinator), and Neelu Konkimalla (Financial Coordinator). Together, they balance artistry with organization, nurturing a community where creativity and collaboration thrive.
Adavu Meetups
At the heart of Atlanta Adavu’s philosophy is inclusivity. Its Adavu Meetups, held several times a month, are open to all — from experienced performers to those who haven’t danced in years or have recently moved to the city and are looking for a dance family. Participants spend the sessions revisiting foundational technique, polishing their steps, and concluding with a filmed snippet of their collective effort.
“These meetups are a way to remind ourselves that the roots matter as much as the branches,” says Iyer. “Even the most complex compositions are built from the same basic adavus. Practicing together brings back that joy of movement and community.”
The term “adavu,” drawn from the Natya Shastra, refers to the basic vocabulary of Bharatanatyam—the elemental building blocks of every performance. Just as words form poetry, adavus form the grammar of dance. Atlanta Adavu’s gatherings serve as a way for dancers to reconnect with that shared language.
The Birth of Srishti
As the community grew, so did its ambitions. Many dancers longed for opportunities to perform and collaborate creatively. This led to the birth of Srishti, the performance wing of Atlanta Adavu, launched in 2025 under the leadership of Saidharshana Dhantu.
“Srishti emerged because Atlanta has so many trained, pre-professional dancers who needed a platform,” Dhantu explains. “We wanted to create space not just for performance, but for collaboration — for dancers to co-create work that honors tradition while exploring new ideas.”
The rehearsal process is as collaborative as the group’s mission. Each member contributes a piece that speaks to them personally, and together, the dancers refine choreography, synchronize movement, and explore layers of rhythm and emotion. Their creative sessions are equal parts discipline and dialogue—rooted in the rigors of classical training but open to experimentation.
A Global Bridge for Bharatanatyam
Atlanta Adavu’s vision also extends beyond local boundaries. The group regularly invites visiting artists from across the Bharatanatyam diaspora to teach, perform, and exchange ideas. This year alone, they’ve hosted Smt. Soundarya Ramdas, who led a classical-contemporary workshop in May, and Smt. Sathvikaa Shankar from Chennai, who conducted a two-day traditional workshop in September.
“These exchanges enrich our understanding of how Bharatanatyam is evolving globally,” says Iyer. “It’s about building bridges — connecting Atlanta’s dancers with the larger world of Indian classical arts.”
The Eyes of Devotion
As 2025 draws to a close, the team is preparing for their most ambitious project yet — Bhakti Vilochanena – The Eyes of Devotion, an original production by the Srishti performance cohort. Entirely choreographed by the dancers themselves, the piece explores devotion to Krishna through the eyes of his many devotees.
The production will premiere on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Sewell Mill Cultural Center, marking a milestone for the young collective. “It’s a full-circle moment,” says Dhantu. “We began as a community of dancers rediscovering our roots — now we’re stepping onto the stage together to share what that journey has created.”
Looking Ahead
Atlanta Adavu continues to host its signature Adavu Meetups, providing a welcoming space for dancers to build community through shared practice. The collective hopes to keep growing its reach — spotlighting emerging artists, strengthening global collaborations, and nurturing Atlanta’s next generation of Bharatanatyam practitioners.
“Bharatanatyam is more than performance,” says Iyer. “It’s connection — between teacher and student, dancer and audience, tradition and innovation. Atlanta Adavu exists to keep those connections alive.”
Cover photo: (Srishti Cohort at NRI Stories; Pictured left to right: Saidharshana Dhantu, Soumya Karra, Shruti
Das, Soundarya Ramdas, Neelu Konkimalla, Vani Rao).
