Sthalam - USA
Pleasanton CA
Sthalam Pleasanton at Bernal Ave is a vibrant center for Bharathanatyam training, rooted in tradition yet open to inclusive learning. Sthalam creates a close-knit community where students of all backgrounds come together to celebrate art as a way of life, making the journey of Bharathanatyam both meaningful and memorable
About the GURU
Anusha Natarajan is an accomplished Bharatanatyam teacher, choreographer, and mentor with over two decades of experience in nurturing students across India and the United States. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Sthalam School of Dance, an inclusive platform that blends tradition, and compassion to guide dancers on their artistic journey.
She has undergone rigorous training in the Tanjore, Kalakshetra, and Mysore styles of Bharatanatyam, guided by eminent Gurus including Kalaimamani Murugan , Kalaimamaii Saravanan , Maha Guru Kittappa Pillai and his son Kalaimamani Chandrasekar Pillai, Vidwan Ujwal Jagadeesh, Dr. Dwaritha Vishwanatha, and Dr. Priya Shree Rao. Her abhinaya training has been enriched under the legendary Guru Bragha Bessel, and she was also mentored for a brief period by Dr. Sharadha Natarajan and Dr Ambika Kameshwar, whose unique integration of theatre arts and holistic development continues to inspire her teaching philosophy.
Anusha holds a Master’s degree in Bharatanatyam from Tamil University, is a graded artiste of Doordarshan, and has been performing on prestigious stages since the age of eight. She has captivated audiences with her mastery of Nritta, Nritya, and Natya, weaving devotional intensity with expressive storytelling.
Through Sthalam, @Pleasanton she is deeply committed to making Bharatanatyam accessible to all — including neurodiverse learners — presenting dance as both an artistic discipline and a language of love, values, and community.
Anchored in the timeless heritage of Bharatanatyam, Anusha aspires to disseminate its spiritual, cultural, and emotional essence through performances, workshops, and community initiatives — ensuring that every dancer finds both art and purpose in their journey.