About SPNAPA

Shree Padma Nrityam Academy of performing Arts Inc. (SPNAPA) based in Princeton, NJ, serves as a facilitator for cultural preservation, presentation, and exchange of ideas for South Asian Performing Arts with a primary focus on Indian classical dance - Bharata Nrityam. Bala serves as the Artist in Residence at the Carl A Fields Center, Princeton University. Trained under eminent Guru, the noted Bharata Nrityam exponent Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, Bala works on developing and perfecting the style that would be seamless and fluid while yet retaining the precision, power and purity of line - typical of classical dance. Bala had the unique opportunity to learn the core components of the 108 Karanas (temple sculptures). The Karanas are governed by artistic laws of permanent value of Natya Sastra, which is the specialty of her Guru Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam - whose scholarly thesis on Karanas remains an inspiration to exponents in this field. Bala teaches the revived dance technique translating theoretical concepts into practice based on her Guru Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam’s research and teaching. For her dedicated services in promoting art and culture, Bala was conferred with the title “Bharata Nritya Seva Mani” by her Guru Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam.