Welcome to Śikhara Conservatory of Classical Dance
Embrace Bharatanatyam's pinnacle where grace, precision, and spirituality elevate every movement to art
About Us
Śikhara Conservatory of Classical Dance
At Śikhara Conservatory of Classical Dance, our foundation is a profound passion for Bharatanatyam, a rich art form embodying our heritage and aspirations. Founded with the intent to spread the joy and richness of Bharatanatyam to all, our goal at Śikhara is to preserve and rejuvenate this traditional dance, making it resonate within the modern world.
Our vision at Śikhara goes beyond teaching dance; we aim to cultivate true rasikas—connoisseurs who appreciate Bharatanatyam for its depth and intricacies. Our mission is to nurture a generation that connects deeply with art, understanding its nuances, spiritual significance, and historical importance.
Embracing both tradition and contemporary innovation, we integrate diverse art forms like ancient Indian martial arts, yoga, Carnatic vocal, and Mridangam with Bharatanatyam. This holistic approach, enriched with philosophy, aesthetics, and visual arts, allows us to explore the dance form in its entirety, presenting it in a multifaceted and dynamic manner.
Śikhara is the heart where art and culture flourish. Our community engagements through performances, workshops, and collaborations not only showcase the splendor of Bharatanatyam but also ignite a lifelong passion for classical arts amongst students and audiences alike.
Artistic Director
Arrthami Siva-Kuruvinth
Arrthami Siva-Kuruvinth is a devoted practitioner of Bharatanatyam with over 20 years of experience, continually expanding her mastery under the guidance of Shijith Nambiar and Parvathy Menon. Her passion for dance was kindled at the tender age of 5 under the tutelage of Nirmala Suresh, leading her to join the prestigious Nrtyakala, under the esteemed Menaka Thakkar, at age 11. Her artistic journey, which began formally at 13 with the Menaka Thakkar Dance Company, has been marked by a blend of traditional and innovative explorations in dance.
Arrthami's career is adorned with notable performances and accomplishments, including being a part of productions with the Menaka Thakkar Dance Company like 'Patano Pradesh', 'Sitayana', 'Parashakthi', and 'Shapes & Rhythms', choreographed by Menaka Thakkar, and 'Shri: Shakthi', under the choreography of Chandralekha Patel. Her talent was further recognized in 2015 when she won the Lalitha Padmini Ragini award, presented by Padma Shri Shobana, following her victory in a Varnam competition.
In 2018, her debut solo Bharatanatyam performance successfully raised over $5,000 for the South Asian Autism Awareness Centre. Arrthami later performed solo Bharatanatyam recitals at York Woods Library Theatre in 2023, Toronto Dance Theatre in 2024, and St. Francis Theatre in Ajax, Ontario in 2025. She recently conducted her first Bharatanatyam recital in Chennai, India, at the prestigious Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan during the 2025-2026 Marghazhi season. She has also taken part in group productions such as 'Samāgam' and 'Kāvyam' under Shijith Nambiar and Parvathy Menon. Additionally, she conceptualized and choreographed 'KNOCK', a Bharatanatyam short film that garnered acclaim during its release in the Marghazhi season of 2022.
Arrthami's expertise in Bharatanatyam is complemented by her proficiency in classical Indian music. Marking her vocal debut in 2009, this musical dimension has since added depth and musicality to her dance performances, creating a unique interplay between movement and melody.
As an independent professional, Arrthami teaches Bharatanatyam to both beginners and intermediate students, balancing this dedication with her role as a mother. Her performances captivate audiences in Toronto and worldwide.
Arrthami's commitment goes beyond personal accolades. It is a stand against the stereotype in the South Asian context that mothers should retreat from public art forms, proving that passion and societal roles can harmoniously coexist.
Currently a board member for CanAsian Dance, her vision is for Bharatanatyam to be a revered part of Canada's cultural diversity, bridging the traditional and contemporary, and appealing to a wide audience.
Learn
Discover the depths of Bharatanatyam through learning
Guided Journey
Embark on a student-led journey through the intricate world of Bharatanatyam, paced to your rhythm yet carefully guided and assessed at every milestone to cultivate a deeply enriching artistic experience.
Creative Collaboration
Delve into the Bharatanatyam vocabulary with a collaborative spirit, where learning transcends mere movement to become a holistic experience encompassing cognitive, emotional, social, and physical dimensions.
Inspiring Interactions
Seize opportunities to learn from esteemed figures in Bharatanatyam and related arts, gaining unique insights and inspiration from masters to enhance your understanding and performance.
Artistic Immersion
Extend your Bharatanatyam journey beyond the studio walls. Engage with the art in its living form through shows, lecture demonstrations, museums, and more, to immerse yourself fully in the ancient and ever-evolving world of this captivating dance form.
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