Shoba Narayan

Shoba Narayan is one of the leading exponents of Bharatanatyam in the US. She is the senior-most student and torch-bearer of Nritya Geethanjali, Mumbai, India, founded by Guru Rajee Narayan. This school is nationally renowned; not only for producing fine dancers, but also for training students in nattuvangam, choreography and vocal music in the traditional South Indian Carnatic style. Shoba joined this school at the tender age of four and a half and had her Arangetram (full-fledged dance program) at age nine. Under her Guru’s tutelage, she also became a certified Nattuvangam artist. She has to her credit numerous solo performances all over India and West Asia and earned universal praise for stunning control over laya (rhythm), posture, facial expressions and grace. As the senior-most student of her school, she also took on an increasing role as a teacher herself in training aspiring students. She continued her dance and teaching commitments until she migrated to the US in 1985.

Shoba established Nritya Gitanjali School of Dance in Cleveland in 1985. This was Cleveland’s first full-fledged Bharatanatyam dance institution. She gave numerous dance programs all over the US and gained recognition as a leading dance performer. In her dance experience spanning over 45 years, the last 30 years have been dedicated to teaching and propagating this divine art to aspiring students in the US. Over forty students have completed their Arangetram from Shoba’s Cleveland dance school. As a teacher, she maintains a highly disciplined approach to teaching this art form while educating the students about the rich traditions and culture associated with this fine art. She has also gained respect and acclaim for her unique creativity as a dance choreographer, where she has presented numerous dance items set to different genres of Indian music and themes, without compromising on the aesthetics of Bharatanatyam.

Shoba’s students are featured in many fund-raisers and international diversity programs in and around Northeast Ohio and have also won many prestigious awards in various contests. She trains students at her residence in Strongsville and the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Parma, Ohio. She is supported by her husband V. Narayan, who teaches Classical North Indian vocal music and tabla to select students.