Mari Shakthi Muthuswamy is the dance teacher of the Bharatanatyam school, Anvita Natyalaya in Newton, MA. She received formal training in Bharatanatyam from Guru Sri Kalaimamani S.K.Kameswaran & Natya Tilakam Smt. Saroja Kameshwaran in Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Mari is trained in the Vazhuvoor Bhani and has performed in many fundraisers and temple festivals both in India and the US. Mari got her nattuvangam training from guru Smt. Seethalakshmi Srinivasan in Madurai. In her early ages, Mari was trained by Guru Smt. Jaya Arunachalam. Mari started learning Bharatanatyam at the age of five and has always had a strong passion for dancing, exploring the creative aspects of dance forms.

In India, she has performed along with her guru’s daughter Smt. Mahalakshmi in Chennai and also performed solo dances in Kaaraneeshwarar temple for many Navarathri festivals during her stay in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She has won many prizes in Classical dance competitions.

Mari Shakthi along with her sister Mari Chandra participated in the Fifth Annual Indian American Festival at Sri Venkateswara Temple, Bridgewater, NJ and won first place in Group Classical Dance competition. She participated along with other dance teachers in Boston area, in a Bharathanatyam Dance Ensemble “An Ode to the Mother” to raise funds for Sri Lakshmi Temple. She was also a part of the sixtieth anniversary of India’s Republic Day at the Burlington High School in Burlington, MA on Jan 24, 2009 conducted by “The India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB)”. Along with the Bharatanatyam dance teachers in the Boston area, she presented Devaki Nandana, depicting the ten avatars of Vishnu.

Mari Shakthi Muthuswamy had the privilege to be chosen as one of the judges for the high school Classical Dance competition conducted by NEHTI committee for Youth Cultural & Educational Program. Mari was chosen as one of the judges for two consecutive years of 2008 & 2009. Mari has performed at Sri Lakshmi Temple at Ashland, Massachusetts for Nrityanjali offerings to Sri Lord Natraja as a part of Shivarathri Celebrations.

Mari’s Personal Note:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my greatest supporters in my life and dance career.

My husband has helped and supported me in continuing my passion in this art form. And this includes creating this website for my dance classes. My dear daughter Anvita, who’s high enthusiasm and positivism keeps my spirits elevated! My dad for his encouraging words for me to continue dancing and teaching. My mom, who is my role model and whose blessings I count on every day. My two sisters, who are there for me all the time, as great friends. My father-in-law and my mother-in-law who are my wonderful supporters and interestingly had a chance to watch me perform live on stage even before my husband!!