About

Aeka

Aparna’s artistic pursuits began with dance and music. As the daughter of the versatile genius in Indian music Sri. T.V.Gopalakrishnan, she was initiated into dance with the study of Bharatanatyam when she was 7 years old under Gurus Shanta & V.P.Dhananjayan.

Gifted with a natural sense of Raga, Tala and Rasa bhava from hoary ancestry, Aparna has a special interest and ambience towards interpretative and contemplative aspects of dance vis a vis music, Aparna’s approach to this particular art form bound with strict traditions, classicism and near rigid adherence to Puritanism has been basically supported by emphasis on elegance, controlled treatment of nritta aspect and most of all a aesthetic and spiritual aspect on stage. She is modeled in the Kalakshetra bani (style) and enriched by her own family traditions of over 200 years, her abhinaya is impeccable.

She continues her rigorous practice of the art, performing and teaching in Switzerland. As a Bharatanatyam soloist, Aparna has danced in several dance events, Aparna has participated in many national and international festivals in India and abroad for which

She has received rave reviews, to mention are:
Bharati Vidya Bhavan Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai, India
Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai, India
Kalarasana, Chennai, India
Rasika Ranjani Sabha, Chennai, India
Sri Varasiddhi Vinayakar Temple, Chennai, India
Sri Mookambika Temple, Karnataka, India
Sri Guruvayurappan Temple, Kerala, India
Renowned Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, India
Natyanjali Festival, Chidambaram, India
Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bangalore, India

She has performed in France, Germany, UK and Switzerland, a few to mention are:
India in Switzerland Festival, Switzerland
Museum Reitberg, Zurich, Switzerland
International Festival of Arts, Clermont-Ferrand, France
South Asian Festival in Strassbourg, France
India-Switzerland Friendship Treaty Festival in Ticino, Switzerland
Fete des Couleurs, Leysin, Switzerland
Danses du Monde, Geneva, Switzerland
As a dance teacher and therapist, Aparna has been teaching in the Spastic School for Children in Bangalore from 1997 – 1999.
Apart from being a dancer and teacher, Aparna has been in the corporate sector for the past 15 years, working as an executive with the Multinational Company - Procter & Gamble. She has worked in most of the domains such as cosmetics, fine fragrances, Feminine care and Feminine beauty departments, which has given Aparna a vast experience in this corporate field. She is highly appreciated for her strengths of Organization, Power of people and Power of agility, where she gives the credit to her discipline acquired due to this art form.

Aparna has also recently integrated into the Community Relations Board within Procter & Gamble in Geneva and provide her time and skills to support our key partners for the program Procter & Gamble - Live, Learn and Thrive program. She’s providing good advices and is already working on the project in favor of one of our key charities, Païdos Association in Geneva. The goal of the project is to keep the ongoing relationship we have with the charitable organization, but more specifically with the teenagers by welcoming them to P&G and providing them tools to go back to the society. With her knowledge she’s helping P&G to make the difference and helping the children in need.

In the year 2009, Aparna joined her friend, renowned dancer and choreographer, Dr. Anita Shanmuganathan. by opening a branch of Aeka Academy, Institution of Fine arts in Geneva, Switzerland to promote Indian and local culture and art forms. Aeka Academy organizes regular events to promote Indian music and dance and also by local talents in Geneva.

What sets Aparna apart, is not only her dedication to delve deep but also her aim in perfection. Aparna now resides in Geneva, Switzerland with her husband Raghavan and her 2 children Vignesh and Anjali. Anjali is an upcoming dancer, in Kathak and Bharatnatyam (disciple of Anita Shanmuganathan). Aparna is very fortunate to have a family who supports her in all her endeavors.