Meet the Staff
Malathi Iyengar, originally from Bangalore, India is a Los Angeles based choreographer, dancer, writer, and visual artist. Malathi holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Choreography and Performance from University of California, Los Angeles. Malathi studied Bharatanatyam dance from guru Narmada of Bangalore and choreography and improvisation under the mentorship of Marion Scott. Iyengar, a recipient of several awards is recognized as a Master Artist of Bharatanatyam dance by the Alliance for California Traditional Artists. Some of her other distinctions include Rainbow Award (LAWTF), Durfee Foundation Award, Brody Fellowship for Performing Arts, Alma Hawkins Award for Excellence in Choreography, John Lennon Performing Arts Award, Glorya Kaufman Award, and the National Endowment of the Arts. Iyengar is the author of 'Dance & Devotion' published by Rangoli Foundation. Iyengar's creations reflect a wide range of artistic expressions ranging from traditional works to inter-cultural collaborations with artists of diverse cultures. Her critically acclaimed works include 'Patanjali', 'Kodhai's Dream', 'Punyakoti', 'Sacred Geometry', 'Love Lyrics', 'Ramayana', & 'Mustard Seeds'. Malathi Iyengar & Rangoli Dance Company has performed extensively in USA, Canada, & India. Iyengar regularly teaches Bharatanatyam, production and presentation seminars, and intercultural dance theater. Iyengar is known for speaking from her unique experiences with passion & conviction about leadership in arts. Her speaking engagement series, 'Dreams & Visions' has attracted many academic institutions and cultural organizations. She was engaged to be the technical advisor for selected episodes of the popular television drama series 'Heroes'. Iyengar has specialized in creating the floor designs called 'Sand Mandalas' and 'Rangoli Art', and has exhibited her works in India and United States. She has served as the advisor for the National Geographic Kids Magazine on the visual art of India 'Rangoli'. Malathi Iyengar is the artistic director of the Rangoli Foundation for Art & Culture, a non-profit organization, which was founded in 1985.
Lakshmi Iyengar, a Bharatanatyam dancer is the disciple of Malathi Iyengar, guru Narmada, & Bragha Bessell. Lakshmi has also trained in Odissi from Nandita Behera. Lakshmi has performed extensively all over the USA, Canada, and India, including the December music and dance festival season in Chennai and Bangalore. As a lead dancer for the Rangoli Dance Company, she has performed in all choreographic works of Iyengar. Lakshmi, a recipient of the Alliance for California Traditional Artists 2004 Award, has received multiple Lester Horton dance award nominations for outstanding achievement in Performance. With two decades of dance experience and training in film and video production, Lakshmi has been a production designer for Rangoli productions since 2001. Lakshmi has studied Italian literature and theater at the Universita' di Bologna, Italy and worked for the Cineteca di Bologna. Lakshmi has a B.A. in Theater (Production Design) and Italian from the University of California, Los Angeles. Lakshmi is currently pursuing a degree in Masters in Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh. Los Angeles Times wrote…"…Iyengar brought technical skill and emotional involvement to the solo, adroitly matching steps to the rhythms of the accompaniment in some moments but elsewhere managing to float free of the music, her concentration taking her deeply into a world of gods, demons and miraculous transcendence." www.lakshmiyengar.com
Shaheen Sheik began studying Bharatanatyam at age 7. For over a decade, Shaheen has practiced the vintage Pandanallur / Tanjore style under her guru Malathi Iyengar and has been a senior dancer with the Rangoli Dance Company. Shaheen has also further explored Abhinaya (art of expression) with workshops offered by Bragha Bessell (India). In 2005 and 2006, Shaheen was honored with Lestor Horton Dance Award nominations for her performances in 'Ragamalika Varnam' and 'Kodhai's Dream.' The Los Angeles Times described Shaheen's portrayal of Krishna in 'Kodhai's Dream' as "commanding" and her duet with fellow company dancer, Lakshmi Iyengar, as "a breathtaking finale showcasing their dexterity in accelerating cycles of intricate footwork, swift turns and sweeping arm gestures." When not dancing, Shaheen is a professional musician and singer/songwriter, having released 3 albums to date. Among her instruments, Shaheen plays guitar and sarode, a North Indian classical instrument, which she studies under her guru David Trasoff. Her latest album, rEvolution, is self-produced and slated for release in April 2008. www.shaheensheik.com
Hema Iyer is a disciple of Malathi Iyengar of Rangoli Foundation and guru Shri Mani of Kalasadan Institute in Mumbai, India. Since her Arangetram in 2004, she has been a senior dancer of the Rangoli Dance Company and has performed in many of Iyengar's choreographic works in the USA and India. Hema has also attended Abhinaya (art of expression) workshops offered by Bragha Bessell (India). In 2005, Hema was the recipient of the Elaine Weissman LA Treasures Award for Traditional artists, presented by the California Traditional Music Society and the LA department of cultural affairs. She was a part of an ensemble of dancers nominated for the Lester Horton Award for her performance in 'Ragamalika Varnam'. Hema is also proficient in Carnatic music – a classical Indian music form. She holds a BS degree in Microbiology and an advanced degree in Medical Lab Technology. Los Angeles Times wrote… "Iyengar's voice-over narrations were expanded upon in lyrical solos featuring Hema Iyer and Mary Khetani as more mature, delicately sensual embodiments of the saint cum goddess, Kodhai."
Anjali Gopalan, a Bharatanatyam dancer is currently a student at California State University, Fullerton. She is a Liberal Studies major, and hopes to become a teacher one day. Anjali started learning Bharatnatyam from Malathi Auntie 4 years ago and has loved every minute of it. Anjali is working towards her solo dance debut to be held in July 2008. Anjali has also participated in Rangoli Dance Company performances and has assisted in production related work.