Ragini Chandrashekar, (nee Sambasivan) has been learning Bharatanatyam from Guru Rajee since the age of six. She performed her Arangetram in 1995 and has given several performances in Mumbai and Chennai.

Ragini has participated in a number of group programmes of her institution, like the Silver Jubilee of Nritya Geethanjali in 1986 at Nehru Centre, Mahakavi Bharati in 1993 at the Tata Theatre, the Natyanjali Trust, Chennai, in August 1997. In January 2000, she performed in a group ensemble of Bharatanatyam, at Vani Mahal, Chennai and in a dance drama, Sri Jagat Rakshakan. Her other performances have enthralled audiences in Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts, Mumbai, Madras Kali Bari Temple, Sri Tyaga Brahmna Gana Sabha, Chennai, Mylapore Fine Arts, Chennai, Taj Residency - Taj Group of Hotels, Mumbai. She has performed on Doordarshan, during Ramnavami in 1999. She has won accolades in dance at various levels in her institution, school and college. She has also learnt Nattuvangam.

This all-round training has helped Ragini start Bharatanatyam classes in California, where she lives with her husband today. Her students perform at the local temple and for other organisations, as she continues to perform and teach.

ragini.iyer@rediffmail.com