II Arangetram - highlights II Ananya's arangetram Sept 2025

ABOUT ANANYA: DISCIPLE OF GURU SUSHMA MOHAN

From the time she was a toddler, Ananya had an innate love for movement and music. At the tender age of three years old, she would sway and groove to every rhythm, her tiny feet and hands instinctively expressing joy and curiosity. Her family noticed this natural affinity for dance, and it was clear very soon that she was drawn to the art form in a way that went beyond play.

By the age of five, Ananya began her formal Bharatanatyam training under her first Guru, Durgalakshmi, in India. She later continued with Guru Remya Arunkrishnan in Phoenix, and for the past seven years, she has flourished under the guidance of Guru Sushma Mohan. What began as a childhood fascination has blossomed into a disciplined practice rooted in devotion, rhythm, and storytelling, moulding Ananya to be the expressive dancer we celebrate today.

Rooted in the sacred tradition of Indian temple dance, Ananya has graced numerous stages with her performances. Most notably, she was a two-time semifinalist in the prestigious Spotlight competition hosted by the LA Music Center (36th & 37th Annual Competitions) and a featured performer at AAPI Joy at the Central Library in Los Angeles. Beyond these accolades, she has shared her artistry with diverse audiences through community engagements including Walking in the Light at the Taxco Theater & LA Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Dance in the District with the Soorya Ensemble Video, Unity and Strength at Taxco Theater, the Los Angeles Indian Dance Fest 2024, Lankershim Arts Center, Lotus Festival, Earth Bloom Holi Celebrations presented by the City of LA, and NGIDF 2024 in Atlanta and all performances of Soorya Foundation.

Ananya, a high school junior at Academy of the Canyons is an Honor Roll student. She is a member of the National Honor Society and currently serves as the President of the DECA chapter, Hart School District. She is actively involved in Junior ROTC and Science Olympiad, where she qualified regionally for state-level competitions. She actively contributes to her community through volunteering at church and city-wide events across Santa Clarita.

Her creative spirit extends beyond classical dance. Ananya also enjoys Bollywood dance and has performed in community events. She is a trained vocalist, having studied Western music at the Mozart Music Academy and has performed at venues including CSUN, while regularly participating in both her school and church choirs. Her love for poetry has earned her an award in the district-wide Reflections competition. Ananya expresses herself through painting, specializing in oil paintings and dot mandala art, enriching her artistic voice and bringing her passion and storytelling to life in multiple forms.