shobhitha ravi
Smt. Shobhitha Ravi, a Pittsburgh native, is a dedicated teacher of Bharatanatyam, trained in the Kancheepuram Ellappa Pillai style under the tutelage of Natyakalavathi Smt. Jaya Mani. In 2008, she founded Natyakriya, where she has been passionately teaching Bharatanatyam to students of all ages. Shobhitha has performed across the United States and India and participated in numerous productions under the guidance of Smt. Revathi Ramachandran. She has also conducted lecture-demonstrations to promote understanding of Bharatanatyam in the Pittsburgh community. Shobhitha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Mathematics and a Master’s in the Art of Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh. During her time there, she played an instrumental role in expanding the reach of Indian classical dance. She led the university’s classical dance team, Nrityamala, to a first-place win at Laasya 2011, served on the executive board for Laasya 2012, and co-founded Dhirana, Pitt’s first classical dance competition. She continues to serve as a judge for Dhirana each year. While Shobhitha enjoys performing, her true passion lies in teaching. Known for her commitment to each student’s learning journey, she inspires the next generation of dancers through disciplined instruction, creative choreography, and joy in the artform.
abstract
Reimagining Bharatanatyam Pedagogy for Adult Students
Poster
This project explores how adult learners can thrive in Bharatanatyam through responsive and community-oriented pedagogy. Drawing on the teaching experience of Shobhitha Ravi at Natyakriya, the program adapts traditional training to support adult learners through sequenced curriculum and inclusive school involvement. Since its inception, over 30 adults aged 26–65 have enrolled, with high retention and notable achievements including group performances and instructional mentorship. Students describe the experience as one of cultural reclamation, growth, and connection. The findings highlight the value of integrating adult learners into classical dance communities and challenge age-based assumptions in Bharatanatyam pedagogy.