With just two weeks left before Ujala at Midlands Arts Centre, it’s time to announce the talented dancers who will be joining us.
This performance is a must see display of the devotional movement and the spectacular costumes that revere the traditional dance forms of Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Sattriya, Odissi, Kuchipudi and Yakshagana. Presented as part of our Ujala Season, celebrating Diwali 2025.
Meet the Dancers:
Chandana Gopalakrishna is a Bharatanatyam artist with almost 25 years’ experience in performance, teaching and adjudication for Bharatanatyam examinations on the KSEEB (Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board). For Chandana, Bharatanatyam is a sacred language of rhythm, emotion and storytelling. Her creative practice blends disciplined tradition with expressive nuance, allowing her to embody narratives both ancient and contemporary. Through the interplay of abhinaya, nritta, and natya, she crafts performances that resonate deeply with audiences.
Anaash Bhattathiripad is a Bharatanatyam practitioner, choreographer, Classical Vocalist and the last disciple of Mahavaidyanathaiyya Adiyar. As one of the few remaining practitioners of the Nartanapuri style of Bharatanatyam, Anaash aims to preserve and share this ancient tradition. Having performed extensively across India and internationally, his work explores traditional compositions, temple ritual dances and narrative forms. Outside of dance, Anaash is a clinical researcher with special interests in HIV, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. He is currently pursuing a master’s in Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine at Aston University.
Rodali Bora is an award-winning actor, performer, and nationally recognized Sattriya dancer from Assam, India. She has performed at several prestigious national and international platforms, including a folk dance performance at the London Olympics 2012, representing India as the youngest artist from her state. Rodali has also presented Sattriya dance before the Prime Minister and President of India, highlighting the cultural richness of Assam. Through her work she aims to blend classical art and modern storytelling to connect with global audiences.
Wafi Rahman Ananna is a Kathak dance artist and teacher. She follows the Lucknow Gharana, highlighting emotion, expression, rhythm and syllables. Wafi began her Kathak journey 40 years ago, going on to receive a scholarship from Indian Council for Cultural Relations to study and deepen her relationship with the artform. She has since worked as a teacher and choreographer, also performing countless times in her homeland of Bangladesh and internationally. Wafi can now be found in Birmingham at the India Island Academy.
Swathi Shree Vadivelu is a Bharatanatyam dancer who trained under her Guru Smt. Shubhadha Prabhakar. She trained at the Chinmudra Academy for Performing Arts, Bengaluru, and completed her Arangetram in 2020. For Swathi, dance is not just a discipline, but poetry in motion, where rhythm meets emotion and tradition meets imagination. Performing across India and the UK, she has been recognised with the Natya Mayoori Award and listed among the Top 15 Karnataka classical dancers.
Vyshnavi Rao is a dancer, teacher and Associate Artist at Devika Dance Theatre. She will be sharing a Yakshagana with audiences for Ujala. With a strong foundation in classical Indian dance traditions, she plays an active role in the Midlands arts sector, also mentoring young students in preparation for their ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) exams. Outside of her dance work, she can also be found at the University of Birmingham where she is studying Medicine.
Sowmya Maiya and Swarna Bobbili are a talented duo who specialise in the classical dance style of Odissi, which originates in the eastern coastal state of Odisha, India.
Having studied this artform since she was a child, Sowmya is a trained classical dancer, where her true passion lies. She balances a varied creative practice with her work as a Consultant Psychiatrist, holding an appreciation for all artforms and encouraging patients to explore the arts as a form of therapy.
Swarna has been a student of Odissi Classical Dance for almost a decade. For Swarna this is a lifelong passion, exploring the grace, spirituality, and sculptural beauty of this 2000-year-old artform.
Aarathy Arun is an Indian classical musician and dancer with over 30 years experience. Having trained in multiple styles and disciplines, she now specialises in Kuchipudi. Outside of her performance work, Aarathy is a choreographer, teacher, mentor, artistic director and founder of Indian festival Samarpana. She has a keen interest in Natyasastra, and recently directed and choreographed an award-winning musical production using this approach.
Anvitha Rengarajan has over 20 years of rigorous Bharatanatyam training, performance and practice, including as an Indian Doordarshan artist. She has shared solo and ensemble performances across India and the UK, bringing this artform to diverse audiences. Anvitha also contributes to the classical dance community through teaching, mentoring and choreography.
Our Ujala showcase will be compered by the talented Shriya Sharma, a graduate of Chitraleka Dance Academy and a performer in Kaishiki, an elite group of the academy’s most experienced Bharatanatyam dancers.
We look forward to welcoming such a brilliant selection of performers from across the region for a truly beautiful evening of dance and celebration. Secure your spot and book your tickets here.