WELCOME TO
Bharathakalai School of Dance
Dedicated to promoting and preserving Bharathanatyam through educating and performing!
Founder/Director/Performer/Choreographer/Educator: Jayshree Bala Rajamani
Preserving Bharathanatyam as a community
At Bharathakalai we are a community that is passionate about the beauty and grace of Bharathanatyam!
We learn and grow by spreading dance to new generations!
Jayshree Bala Rajamani is one of the leading practitioners and teachers of the ancient Indian dance form of Bharathanatyam in Massachusetts. She was initiated into this art by her mother, Jaya Balasubramanian and then came under the tutelage of eminent Guru K.J. Govindarajan. She specialized in Abhinaya with Guru Jamuna Krishnan.
MEET THE FOUNDER
Continuing her Guru K.J. Govindarajan’s legacy, she founded Bharathakalai School of Dance in 1987. Over the years she has received numerous awards and accolades for both performing and teaching. 2012 marked the 25th Anniversary of her dance school and she was honored by the Massachusetts House of Representatives for her outstanding service to the community.
In 2015 she founded TriNethra - the third eye festival of dance, to quite literally and figuratively open one’s “third eye” towards dance appreciation. The festival strives to celebrate dancers and their dance, featuring artists from all over the United States and from around the Globe. The festival also supports young dancers born and trained in their dance, right here in the USA. So far the festival has featured over 50 artists, upcoming and well established!
Jayshree Bala Rajamani
Learn about her dance career below
Awards & Recognitions
for Jayshree Bala Rajamani
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2025: “Sree - Dancing Through The Seasons” won Best Feature Documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival. She was one of the four dancers featured in this documentary
2025: Invited to a special felicitation by Rhode Island State House, acknowledging those who spread AAPI Culture in the RI School system.
2024: "Bhairav Raga" - From the CD Ragamala Paintings Alive! winner of International Songwriting & Unsigned Only Music competitions. Her voice was included in this track.
2023: Featured in Ragamala Paintings Alive! her debut CD as a guest vocalist.
2021: Recognized with a banner by LexSeeHer, to salute women who have enriched Lexington, MA.
2020: Featured in the film Sree – Dancing Through the Seasons about women and their dance.
2020: Special mention in the book Achan’s Flamingo, for her role as a dance teacher to the author.
2019: Had a 4 city performance tour in India. Starting in New Delhi, Kohlapur, Pune & Mumbai.
2017-19: Festival Grant recipient from Mass Cultural Council, Boston, MA
2017: Featured in music video by singer/songwriter Priyant Sundas
2016: Invited to perform at the 10th Annual Delhi International Arts Festival, New Delhi, India
2014: Parthasarthy Sabha Medal, Chennai, India
2013: Finalist Woman of the Year for Excellence in Dance
2012: Special citation from Massachusetts House of Representatives for outstanding service to community on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the dance school.
2011: Lokvani e-news, Dedicated Dancer Award
2011: India New England News, Readers Choice Award for Best Dance School in MA
1993: Graded artiste on Doordarshan, India’s National Television
1992: Sahitya Kala Parishad Award, New Delhi for excellence in dance.
1990: Title of “Natyamani”- conferred by Indian Cultural Society, New Delhi, India
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With Massachusetts Inaugural Poet Laureate Regie O’Hare Gibson
With Singer Song Writer Mary Ross
With world jazz ensemble Natraj
With Bhajan Kirtan Singer Nirmal Chandraratna
With Priyant Sundas Berklee College of Music
With Munroe Center for the Arts, Lexington MA
With Tap Dancer Ryan P. Casey
With Colonial Dancers of Lexington
With Fellow classical Indian dancers
With Dancers from 5 different countries (Israel, Greece, Mexico, England & China)
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2026: United by the Beat, a coming together of the community through interactive world music and dance.
2025: IAGB Special presentation celebrating the power of women
2023: LexSeeHer Monument Inauguration
2020: AIF Virtual Gala for Covid relief
2018: Saheli Gala
2016-18: International Fairy Tale Ball Lexington Public Library
2013-25: Senior Centre’s: Lexington, Burlington & Somerville MA
2014-15: One Billion Rising
2014: Performed in fundraiser for Sankara Cancer Foundation
2014: Collaboration with Lexington Historical Society –Dances from Two Cultures
2013: Lexington’s 300th Year celebrations
2013: Essence of India, Acton, MA
2011: Performed for Boston Pledge fundraiser, MA
2010: Performed for MIT’s Asian Heritage Society (MITHAS) fundraiser, MA
2010: Organized and performed a fundraiser for BSSK, Orphanage in India
2009: Organized graduation recital for deserving student at no cost
2008: Performed in fundraiser for New England Hindu Temple, Ashland, MA
2007: Organized graduation recital for deserving student at no cost
2006: Performed in fundraiser for New England Hindu Temple, Ashland, MA
2004: Performed in fundraiser for Satsang Center in Woburn, MA
2004: Performed in fundraiser for India Development Relief Foundation
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Quotes:
“Jayshree was resplendent and her expressive eyes and exquisite footwork worked magic on the audience.” - The Hindu, Hyderabad India, Aug 24, 2014
“Combination of Bharathanatyam – an Indian classical dance form, acclaimed jazz music and different world music tradition is not very often taken together on one stage. It was very carefully handled by a stunning effort of talented artists like Jayshree & all members of Natraj in bringing out the essence of a multicultural collaboration.” - Lokvani, e-Newsletter, October 10, 2010
Links:
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2026 - Love Now - Premiered on March 22, this was an amazing coming together of a community of local artists from music, dance and spoken word in a community uplifting and unifying performance.
2023 - Murase & Yesu-Krishna, A special series of items for an Arangetram celebrating Christianity and Hinduism and their common pathways of worship.
2020 - Relax, Refresh, Rejuvenate - A multi art presentation highlighting the difficulties faced by migrant workers in India during the pandemic.
2019 - Ragamala Paintings Alive! - A Collaborative work with World Jazz ensemble Natraj using the Ragamala paintings as both the musical and choreographic inspiration.
2018 - Chakram - A Special production on the seasons using Kalidasa’s poem Ritu Samharam.
2017 - Diverse Nayikas - A Production on the various portrayals of the Nayikas.
2016 - Arupadai Veedu - A Collaboration with fellow dancers on the 6 homes of Lord Muruga.
2016 - Confluence - a meeting of East & West.
2014 - An Offering - A tribute to her Guru’s and Bharathanatyam, on her return tour of India.
2012 - Nritya Rekha - A celebration of her 25 years of teaching
2011 - Navarasa - A Collaboration with NE dancers
2010 - Putra Pouthra Bhavathu - A Collaboration with World Jazz ensemble Natraj, celebrating adoption.
2008 - Ode to Mother - A collaboration with NE Dancers, for the Shri Lakshmi Temple, Ashland MA.
2004 - Bhakthi - A Fundraiser for the Satsang Center, Woburn MA
1990 - Murugan Malai - A Traditional Margam on Lord Muruga to celebrate her Guru’s 60th Birthday.
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September 2025, G. Raghuraman, Flautist/Son of Guru K.J. Govindarajan, New Delhi, India:
“Jayshree Rajamani is a gifted and imaginative Bharatanatyam dancer, known for her deep commitment to the art form and her enthusiasm for exploring innovative ideas. A devoted disciple of my father, the late Guru K.J. Govindarajan, she and I share a long-standing bond, having grown up together. I have known her since childhood and have always admired her dedication and passion. Now based in North America, she continues to share her rich knowledge by teaching Bharatanatyam and nurturing the next generation of dancers. I extend my heartfelt best wishes to her in all her endeavors.”
September 2025, Sudha Raghuraman Carnatic Vocalist/Composer, New Delhi, India:
“Jayshree ‘J ‘ as I affectionately address her is a unique artist in many ways. She has a deep understanding in both music and dance as her training was under my father in law Guru K.J. Govindarajan who was a musician first, then a Bharathanatyam guru. Her devotion towards the art form and her Guru has brought her to where she stands tall today. I have closely worked with her on several projects including live shows. A keen observer, a sincere teacher, a multifaceted family person, a kind human Jayshree collaborates with musicians like me with, excitement, mindfulness, professionalism and positivity. I wish her nothing but the best in whatever she does and plans to do, thereby expanding her horizons.”
September 2025, Sandra Makielski, Teacher/Educator Davisville Middle School, Kingston, RI:
“Guru Rajamani has consistently provided engaging and age appropriate instruction in traditional Bharathanatyam dance for my 7th grafders in Rhode Island for 10 years. Not only does she demonstrate this 5000 year old dance to my students, but invites them to try and dance with her. Her invitation opens the door to understanding and appreciation by allowing nearly 1000 students over the years to see value in something different while respecting the difficulty of the dance. Thank You!”
September 2025, Mesma Belsare, Dancer/Artist, NYC, NY:
“I have known Jayshree Bala Rajamani for many years as a colleague in the Indian classical dance community, and I have always admired her dedication to the art. In 2017, she invited me to perform at her TriNethra: the third eye festival of dance in Lexington, MA. Through TriNethra, Jayshree has created a platform that is both rigorous and welcoming, one that nurtures artists and brings audiences into deeper engagement with dance. Her vision and generosity as a teacher, curator, dancer, and community leader continue to strengthen and inspire our field. “
July 2024, Mouli Pal, Odissi Dancer/Educator, Boston, MA:
At the Arangetram I was “mesmerized at her (student) poise, grace and depth in expression… You are such a fantastic teacher and I see glimpses of you in them. Also your demonstrations introducing the pieces were like a performance of its own! Thank you for all your hard work and everything you do for dance!”
June 2022, Urmi Samadar, Kathak Dancer/Teacher, Belmont, MA:
“Your pursuit and dedication to the arts and artists, is admirable. Through your teaching and outreach efforts, Trinethra, and related pursuits, you have supported the arts in so many ways. For that, we are grateful as a community.”
June 2020, Nalini Sharma, AIF Boston Chapter, Boston, MA:
“Thank YOU, Jayshree for envisioning this (Refresh, Relax, Rejuvenate) and executing it. As I said, your artistry and mastery made it real…. Your understanding of the cause, adding the essence of it into your art with just perfection and meaning and SOUL – it was phenomenal.”
February 2019, Amitasana Dasa, Hare Krishna Movement, Mumbai, India:
“Respected Jayshree ji, Hare Krishna! It was nice to have you with us. Your dance performance was excellent. Got very nice feedback for the audience.”
March 2013, Melanie Lin & Geetha Padaki Co-Chairs Lex300 celebrations, Lexington, MA:
“What a night last night! We heard a lot of cheering and big applause from the audience. There were many positive feedback about the performances and participatory dances. The fusion dance was so amazing and touching!…the audience were engaged, enthusiastic and the gym was packed. Please pass our sincere thanks to your fellow dancers. We deeply appreciate their time, effort and volunteering spirit to celebrate the 300th birthday of Lexington!”
January 2011, Roxana Kalyanvala, Director BBSK Pune, India:
“Dear Jayshree, 25th September 2010 was a very special day for us at BSSK; we were blessed to have your wonderful dance program, which was dedicated to benefit the children of BSSK. Words are insufficient to express our gratitude to you, your wonderful family and your entire team for all your efforts in making this show such a success! We have received $ 14,914.50 towards this fund raiser from Holt. This generous donation will be very useful and it shall be well utilized for the children of BSSK.”
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Collaboration with Natraj
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojN6A23B6_o
Love is You & Me collaboration with Priyant Sundas in his music video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLZncxGKeHY
TriNethra 2024 Highlight Reel:
TriNethra 2023 Highlight Reel:
TriNethra 2015-17 Highlight Reel: