Mehala & Ashvitha Balamurali

Bryan Brown Theatre, Sydney, Australia 8th February 2020

Mehala

Mehala started learning Bharathanatyam at the age of five under Mrs. Thayapari Ravichandiran, a Bharathanatyam dance graduate from Ramanathan Academy of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna. Following her guru Thayapari's migration to Canada, Mehala was fortunate to continue her Bharathanatyam training under Kalakerthi Mrs. Shanthini Sivanesan at Kokuvil Kalaabavanam in Sri Lanka for several years.

Upon migration to Australia, Mehala joined Sydney Kalaabavanam in 2014 and she pursued her advanced training under Natiyakalaimani Mrs. Suganthy Thayaseelan, a senior disciple of Shanthini Sivanesan. Mehala completed her teacher's diploma in Bharathanatyam with Distinction under the Academy of Fine Arts London and was awarded the title "Natiya Choodamani in 2018.

Mehala has performed in numerous dance productions both in Sri Lanka and Australia, In 2017, Mehala received the title "Natyamani for her participation in the Asia Book of Record Universal Dance Record under the Bharathanatyam veteran Padmabhushanam VP Dhanajeyan. Mehala alho holds certificates in Veena (a Carnatic musical instrument) and Carnatic Music (Vocal) from North Ceylon Oriental Music Society (NCOMS).

In 2017, Mehala inaugurated her own dance school Hills Kalarpana at Kellyville with the hope of encouraging more children and families to take up the art form in growing Sydney Hills area. Students of Hills Kalarpana completed their first performance in 2019 at the Deepavali Mela held at Rouse hill town centre, organised by HCA.

Ashvitha

Ashvitha was introduced to the noble art of Bharathanatyam at the tender age of four by her mother. She formally commenced this art in 2013 under Guru Mrs. Suganthy Thayaseelan at Sydney Kalaabavanam at the age of seven. She completed her grade 4 (Diplomal) Bharatanatyam exam with distinction under the Australian Camatic Music Society Ashvitha has performed solo performances at her school's annual showcase and multi-cultural events, has also participated in solo and group performances at community events and annual concerts under Sydney Kalaabavanam She was awarded the title "Natyamani", for her participation in the Asia Book of Record Universal Dance Record in 2017 In addition to performances and grade exams, Ashvitha has taken part in various international dance competitions such as GTV's Navarasa Natyam and Hidden Idol.

Myuree Sivanesan

UNSW Science Theatre, Sydney, Australia 22nd June 2013

Born in Sydney, Australia on November 2002 Myuree commenced her dancing carrier at the age of 5 under her guru Smt. Suganthy Thayaseelan. Myuree has performed dancing in numerous cultural events and at annual concert of 'Sydney Kalabavanam', Crawford Public School and Mount Druitt Tamil Study Centre. Along with dancing she has a passion for music. She is a keen student learning violin, piano, clarinet and saxophone at Jun Javier Music School. She has completed third grade examination obtaining higher grades in Violin and Piano conducted by the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB). She is an active member of the Blacktown City Community Band and the Quakers Hill Public School Concert Band and has participated in many public events as a clarinet player. She is in currently in year 5 opportunity Class at Quakers Hill Public School. She has won academic excellence award, yearly since her first year at school. She is also a member of the school debating team and a member of the School choir.

Pavithra Hariharan

Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Sydney, Australia 12th January 2013

Pavithra was born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 1997. She resided in New Zealand for 3 years before moving to Sydney, Australia permanently. At the age of 8, she began dancing under the tutelage of Shrimatby Sogantley Thayaseelan. Furthermore, she began Careatie singing lessons at the age of 11 under Shrimathy Lavanya Vithasan She has performed on numerous occasions at Crawford Public School and has received the Principal's Award for a solo performance in Year 6. She participates with enthusiasm in all aspects of her cultural and academic life and has held numerous positions at school including being part of the SRC and being the Library Monitor. Additionally, she has also been recognized with the Dux award from her school. Pavithra embraces her passion for Bharathanatyam through many performances both at school for charitable functions and cultural events and has also performed at NSW Parliament House recently (2009)

She perseveres in sharing her art by participating in Volunteer concerts for Nursing Homes annually. While Pavitlira excels academically in school she also partakes in exams set by London Fine Arts Association and has currently completed 4th grade in Bharathanatyam and 3rd grade in Carnatic Music-Vocal. Furthermore, in 2011 she was part of the group that won 1st prize at the dance competition "Thillana' at Parramatta Town Hall.

An attribute of Pavithra that is to be admired is her ability to integrate her dancing into her other hobbies such as Tamil School through performances in the school Kalaivilla (Anual Program). Pavithira not only shares her ability to dance but also her ability to sing through many musical programs at the temple and other charity functions.

Pavithra ensures that her dancing education does not interfere with her participation at school. Currently in Year 11 at Macarthur Girls High School, she is an active member of the School Magazine Club and is also a Peer Support Leader. She is the recipient of numerous awards, both academic and artistic, and has taken the initiative to present a solo performance on the School Multicultural Day in 2010.