Smt. Bindu Pratap

 Bindu Pratap, a disciple of Guru Meera Nambiar, trained under the renowned Padma Bhushan Dhananjayans and Kalamandalam Kalyani Kutti Amma. She isan accomplished dancer, choreographer, teacher, and the founder and artisticdirector of Nritanjali Dance Academy. Nritanjali is one of the leading dance schools in the Bay Area, cultivating artists in two of South India’s divine dance forms: Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam. 

Her unique blend of Kalamandalam and Kalakshetra styles, with an emphasis on Natya, expressions, and grace, captivates audiences and offers a rich classical experience. Bindu has showcased her talent nationally on several prestigious multicultural platforms, and the students of Nritanjali have been recipients of numerous prizes and awards, both locally and nationally. These include honors from the National YoungArts Foundation, the World Arts West Festival in San Francisco, and the prestigious Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival. Beyond classical performances, Bindu and her team have had the privilege of participating in renowned theatrical productions such as One in Eleven, Sense Beyond, and Karna—a musical extravaganza by Guru Madurai R. Muralidharan. One of her recent productions, Dakshina, was widely acclaimed in the Bay Area as part of Nritanjali’s 10th and 18th anniversary celebrations. 

Nritanjali has also played a significant role in charitable initiatives, organizing major dance fundraisers, including Nartana Malika for Kerala flood relief (2018) and Samanya for Voice of a Child (2016). Additionally, the academy has supported various other charitable events, including Chennai Flood Relief, Sahanarthana, Odisha, OSAAT, and the Berkeley Asha Foundation. Since 2017, Nritanjali has been affiliated with Potti Sreeramulu University, India, through the University of Silicon Andhra, offering academic programs in Bharatanatyam.