About the guru

Guru Smt. Usha Ragunathan is the Director of Bharathakalalayam, Academy of Fine Arts, a dance school in London offering training in Bharathanatyam for examinations, performances and Arangetrams.

Usha has trained in Bharathanatyam from a young age. Most notably, she was under the tutelage of Smt Kowshelia Anantharaja in Paris, France and in India, under Sri Adayar Luxmanans’ Daughter, Smt. Induvadana Mali, and Smt. Vinothini Shanmuganathan. Usha also undertook training in Natuvangam from Sri Adayar Gobinath (World renowned Mridangam Artist).

Guru Usha was honoured by Kalashetra, for performing for Sri Adayar Luxmanans’ 45th Aniversary and for his remembrance day the year after.

In the UK, Usha founded Bharathakalalayam, Academy of Fine Arts, in 2009 in Surrey. Since starting, she now hosts annual performances and performs frequently at events around the UK.

Usha also attends as an examiner for OFAAL (Oriental Fine Arts Academy of London) and OEBL (Oriental Examination Board Of London).