Archita, daughter of Ushakant Mehta, painter and a scholar of folk tradition of Visual Arts and Sadhana Mehta, A folk Dancer, born on 22nd July 1965, was exposed to the visual and performing arts from a tender age. Having seen her mother perform the folk dances of Gujarat, she developed an instant looking for dance. At the age of ten she began her formal training in one of the oldest Indian classical dance forms : Bharata Natyam. She received her initial training from Dr. Mrs. Jayanti Chandorkar. Later under the able guidance of Mrs. Jaya Chandrashekar, her subsequent teacher, she performed her “Arangetram” at Vadodara [Baroda], Gujarat, India in 1983.

Having completed her schooling, Archita joined the prestigious ‘ Kakakshetra College of Fine Arts’ founded by Mrs. Rukmini Devi Arundale at Chennai [Madras], Tamilnadu, India. Received a double promotion at Kalakshetra, she completed her graduate & postgraduate diplomas with first class. She had the good fortune of receiving training under the able tutelage of Mrs. Sharda Hoffman, Mr. Thomas, and Mrs. Krishnaveni Laxman while ‘Atai’ [Mrs. Rukmini Devi] was the director of Kalakshetra. She also received the national Scholarship for dance awarded by the Government of India. After Late Mrs. Anjali Merh, she was the first dancer from Gujarati speaking area to be trained at Kalakshetra. Archita has performed at various places in India and abroad with the troupe. She performed at Russia under the program ‘Festival of India’ in 1987 as a part of Kalakshetra troupe.

She has imparted training in Bharata Natyam at ‘Sangeet Bharti’, a premier school of performing arts in New Delhi. She is also a keen performer and has performed in several sols and group recitals in the capital, which have been well received. Simultaneously she also ran her own center, ‘Krutika’ at New Friends colony, New Delhi. The Sur Singar Sasad, Mumbai [Bombay] awarded her ‘Sringar Mani’ at the Kal Ke Kakalar Sammelan in 1993. On the occasion of ‘Sangeet Bharati Golden Jubilee Celebrations’, Mr. L. K. Advani, then the Home Minister for India honoured her for her distinguished services. She performed at ‘The Dubai shopping Festival’ in 1997. Archita has also choreographed and performed with Swapna Sundari and her Group at Dharmakshetra Ratalam. She performed ‘Narsinh No Vahlo’ – composition of the Gujarati Saint Poet Narsinh Mehta with Swagata Sen Pillai and her disciples, [choreography by Swagata] She participated in “Vibrant Gujarat Festival” in 2005 and along with her troupe of 20 artistes effectively depicted the Bhakti movement of Gujarat, which was highly appreciated. Archita has also performed at the “Modhera Utaradha Mahotsav” in 2005, the prestigious dance festival held at the famous Sun Temple of Gujarat.

Objective

Looking forward to opportunities to perform, teach & give lecture demonstrate in Indian Classical Dances like Bharata Natyam & India Folk Dances.

Experience

I have over 20 years of teaching & performing experience in Bharata Natyam & Indian Folk Dances in India & abroad.

Education

First Class Graduate and Post Graduate Diplomas In Bharata Natyam from Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts, Chennai, India founded by Late Mrs. Rukmini Devi Arundale. Bachelor of Arts in History from Madras University, Chennai, India.

Personal Other Details, Languages & Interests

I am born on 11 July 1965, married to Mr. Ramesh NGS and have 4 years old daughter named Ms. Nartana Iyer. I have fluency / proficiency in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali and Tamil languages. We enjoy traveling, reading, yoga, dance, music, movies, art & culture. We have a valid Permanent Resident Visa for Australian. References on request.