Nritya Gurukul was founded with a singular vision to create a sanctuary for the timeless art of Bharatanatyam — a space where tradition meets creativity, dancers find their rhythm, and culture thrives for generations to come.
Akshatha Pai is a distinguished Bharatanatyam artist, teacher, and choreographer with over 13 years of experience in professional dance training. She began her Bharatanatyam journey at the age of six under the tutelage of esteemed gurus such as Guru Mani Kannan, Sheela Shridhar, Dr. Chethana Radhakrishna, Dwaipayan Das, Rashmi Raut Jaiswal, and Sachidanand Narayakar.
In 2013, Akshatha founded Nritya Gurukul in Noida, an institution dedicated to preserving and promoting Bharatanatyam. Established on November 7, 2013, Nritya Gurukul is affiliated with Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai, offering structured dance education through Certification, Diploma, Graduation, and Master's level courses. The school has trained and certified over 150 students, many of whom have pursued Bharatanatyam professionally.
Akshatha completed her Arangetram in 2017 under the guidance of Guru Smt. Rashmi Raut Jaiswal in New Delhi. Since then, she has performed across India at prestigious dance festivals and concerts.
Learned under Guru Mohana Iyer and has been actively practicing for 4–5 years, incorporating it into her performances and training.
Conceptualized and choreographed three major productions – Narayan Narayan, Prem Vinod, and The Nine Nights.
Thesis on Guru Shishya Parampara received appreciation for depth and insight.
Performed before legends like Padma Vibhushan Late Pt. Birju Maharaj and Padma Bhushan Dr. Saroja Vaidyanathan.
Part of a Guinness World Record for a non-stop Bharatanatyam performance organized by Ganesh Natyalaya.
Invited as a judge for various competitions and as an external examiner for university-level dance examinations.
Apart from her contributions to the field of Bharatanatyam, Akshatha holds a B.Com degree from Mysore University. She is also a homemaker and lives in Noida with her husband and daughter Anushka, who follows in her footsteps as a Bharatanatyam dancer.
Her vision is to continue propagating Bharatanatyam through innovative productions, dedicated training, and cultural exchange, keeping the Guru-Shishya Parampara alive for future generations.
To preserve and promote the authentic techniques of Bharatnatyam through high-quality instruction and performance.
To be a leading center for classical dance excellence, fostering a community of passionate and skilled artists.
Discipline, Respect, Passion, and a commitment to lifelong learning and artistic integrity.