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A JOURNEY THROUGH DANCE
Maithri Rao is a Bharatanatyam artist, choreographer, yoga practitioner, and the Founder & Artistic Director of Shivansh School of Arts and Team Shivansh. With over 20 years of training under prominent gurus from Bangalore and Mysore, Maithri has developed a distinctive artistic voice that blends traditional Bharatanatyam with contemporary movement vocabulary, innovative storytelling, and explorative choreography.
She has been honoured with the Pride of Telangana Award, Yuvashri Award, Stri Shakti Award, and National Nritya Mani Award, and has performed as a solo artist on several prestigious platforms across India. She was the only dancer from Hyderabad to be part of the inaugural musical at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, Mumbai, and has also worked as an Assistant Choreographer for the film Bhooth Bangla, starring Akshay Kumar and Tabu. Her work extends beyond the stage, with two dance films she has worked on receiving international recognition and awards.
As a choreographer, Maithri is known for her unique movement vocabulary and her ability to create contemporary, accessible approaches to Bharatanatyam while retaining its traditional essence.
Known for her unique movement vocabulary and expressive choreography
Maithri blends tradition and innovation to create works that resonate with contemporary audiences. Her choreography addresses themes such as women’s empowerment (Naari), body positivity (Every Body Can Dance), and cultural celebration (Jashn-E-Hyderabad).
Through the Shivansh School of Arts, Maithri emphasizes the joy and creativity of learning Bharatanatyam and allied fields like Yoga and Carnatic Music.
Under her leadership, Team Shivansh has become synonymous with excellence in performance, captivating audiences at events like TEDx Hyderabad, Pride of Telangana Awards, Hyderabad Dance Festival, and international conferences.
Their acclaimed productions —Leela Tandavam Journey of Rhythms, Jashn-E-Hyderabad, and Dances of India—have received widespread appreciation.
At the heart of Maithri’s work is a commitment to preserving the depth of Bharatanatyam while constantly exploring new possibilities within the art form. Through her performances, productions, and teaching, she continues to create spaces where tradition can evolve meaningfully, dancers can discover their individual voices, and audiences can experience Indian classical dance in fresh and engaging ways.
