BHARATANATYAM

Alice's journey as a dancer commenced at the age of 14. Of Indian and German heritage but raised in Switzerland, she has grown a profound connection to her Indian roots through classical Indian dance, enriching her cultural identity.

Alice Amrapali is a student of esteemed gurus Monika Kunz and Nirupama Rajendra, and, most recently, Aparna Raghavan in Geneva. While she has explored various styles, her foundation remains rooted in the Kalakshetra tradition. Under the tutelage of Monika and Nirupama, she also delved into the intricacies of Caris and the 108 Karanas, further expanding her dance vocabulary. She also pursued contemporary dance training at the Zurich School for Dance and Theatre. Following her graduation, she joined the Chitralekha Dance Company in Birmingham as a company dancer, danced for Nina Rajarani in London as well as for the Radha Kalpa Dance Company under Director Rukmini Vijayakumar in Bangalore. She is also a certified Yoga teacher.

Teaching Bharata Natyam is Alice's true passion. She takes immense pleasure in imparting her knowledge and transmitting the joy of dancing to her students. With a meticulous approach, she also emphasizes the importance of a rigorous and precise technique. She has been teaching Bharata Natyam in Zurich for many years, and as a senior faculty member of AEKA she acts as substitute teacher at the academy.

She holds a Master's degree in English Literature and is an experienced communication and PR professional. She is also a mother of a young daughter and lives with her family in Geneva.

Sadhika, a prodigious talent, embarked on her Bharatanatyam journey at the tender age of 8 under the guidance of Natyacharya Smt.Aparna Raghavan, at Aeka Academy, Geneva, Switzerland. Fuelled by her unwavering passion for Natyam, Sadhika gracefully balances her academic pursuits with her artistic endeavours, a testament to her dedication and commitment.

Sadhika, a prodigious talent, embarked on her Bharatanatyam journey at the tender age of 8 under the guidance of Natyacharya Smt.Aparna Raghavan, at Aeka Academy, Geneva, Switzerland. Fuelled by her unwavering passion for Natyam, Sadhika gracefully balances her academic pursuits with her artistic endeavours, a testament to her dedication and commitment.

A few words in Sadhika’s own words:

My Journey in Bharatanatyam and the Joy of Teaching

Since childhood, dancing became my purest form of joy and almost instinctive, like an extension of who I was. I was introduced to Bharatanatyam, at a very early age, and from my very first class, I was captivated. The precision, expression, and storytelling woven into every step fascinated me and as I delved deeper, not just into the technique but into the history, and discipline behind it, what began as a passion became a lifelong pursuit.

Balancing dance with academics wasn’t always easy, but Bharatanatyam became my anchor. It deepened my connection to my Indian heritage, keeping me rooted in my culture despite growing up in a foreign country. Over time, my love for the art led me to my Arangetram, a defining milestone that reinforced how much this dance meant to me.

Now, as I navigate my first year of biochemistry, I’ve discovered an unexpected joy, teaching. Under my Nātyacharya’s guidance, I recently began instructing a beginners’ class, and in doing so, the same joy I found in dancing, I now find in passing it on to others. Watching students take their first steps in Bharatanatyam reminds me of my own journey, and I hope to inspire them just as my Nātyacharya inspired me.

Teaching, for me, is not just about passing on technique but nurturing a genuine love for the art. Just as my Nātyacharya has guided and shaped my journey, I aspire to do the same for the next generation of dancers. As I continue growing, both in dance and in life, I see teaching not just as an extension of my passion, but as a way to give back to the art form that has given me so much.