Aparna Gurumurthy began her journey in Bharatanatyam at the age of six under Smt. Sheela Krishnan, a distinguished Kalakshetra artist. At the age of nine, she came under the direct tutelage of Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam at Nrithyodaya, where she trained intensively for over fifteen years.
During her time at Nrithyodaya, Aparna completed the “Nritya Praveshika” and “Nritya Visharada” certification programs, and went on to master the 108 Karanas through the “Nritya Sali” course. She also successfully completed the teacher training program at Nrithyodaya and presented her Nattuvangam Arangetram.
With over five years of experience as part of the teaching faculty at Nrithyodaya, she has also assisted professors in the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in Fine Arts, jointly conducted by Nrithyodaya and SASTRA University, Tanjore.
She has been an integral part of Nrithyodaya’s ensemble, performing in group productions across India, Malaysia, and Singapore. Aparna has also played lead roles alongside her guru, Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, in acclaimed productions such as “Pāvai Nōnbu” and “Gurave Namaha”. As a solo performer, she has graced prestigious platforms including Mylapore Fine Arts and Karthik Fine Arts during Chennai’s renowned Margazhi Season.
Her performance journey also includes appearances on television, notably on the classical dance show ‘Thaka Dhimi Tha’, and participation in the Semmozhi Maanaadu organized by the Tamil Nadu Government in 2010. Aparna can also be seen in the front row of the grand ensemble of 1000 dancers celebrating the 1000th year of the Tanjore Big Temple—a performance that continues to be available on YouTube.
Aparna holds a Master’s degree in Bharatanatyam from the University of SiliconAndhra, California, which has since been renamed Aria University. As a dedicated scholar-practitioner, she continues to refine her skills in rhythm and Nattuvangam, while actively deepening her theoretical knowledge of the Nāṭyaśāstra—a foundation that continues to shape her artistic expression and teaching.
Students
Aparna Gurumurthy’s students are active performers in the DMV area, regularly showcasing their talent at various Hindu temples during important religious and cultural occasions. They have participated in several dance competitions conducted by local non-profit organizations, consistently earning recognition. Notably, her students have been finalists in the Natya Idol competition for two consecutive years.
In addition to stage performances, her students are also engaged in cultural outreach, having been invited to perform at Howard County Public Schools to promote multicultural awareness. They also had the unique opportunity to perform for the Beth Israel Jewish Congregation, joining Aparna in a collaborative cultural presentation that celebrated interfaith dialogue and artistic exchange.