Smt. Nirupamaa Chandrasekaran was introduced to Bharatanatyam at the age of 6 in Kolkata by her first Guru Smt. Rajalakshmi Venkateshwar, a direct disciple of Padmashree Dandayutha Pani Pillai.
It was under her tutelage that her talent was honed. Guru Rajalakshmi trained Nirupamaa in the Tanjavur style of Bharatanatyam laying emphasis on swift footwork and intense and distinct adavus execution, clarity and precision. While in school Nirupamaa participated in many music and dance Competitions and won many awards .She was awarded the SHAW EDUCATION FOUNDATION AWARD for “The Best All Round Student Award” by a popular daily “The Telegraph” because of her good academic results and her excellent dancing and musical skills, which brought a lot of fame to her School. She received special training in Navarasa from Kalamandalam Shri V.R Venkitt and Smt . Preeta Venkitt.
Nirupamaaa has attended and successfully passed numerous arts and dance related courses with distinction and honor offered by the Rabindra Bharati University (University of Dance and Music) in Kolkata, India. She has completed A seven year Diploma course with: ” Bharata Natya Kalalya “ Kolkata following which Under Guru Rajalakshmi’s rigorous training ,guidance and blessings, Nirupamaa completed her "Arangetram". She also attended numerous workshops by other Gurus especially Guru Smt Arupa lahiry that cultivated deep interest in her to pursue this dance form.
Nirupamaa has given many recitals and lecture demonstrations of BharataNatyam and has choreographed a number of BharataNãtyam dance items for group and solo presentation. She has also choreographed few productions already. She has imparted Bharatanatyam training to many disciples in India and abroad.
Nirupamaa was conferred the honorary title of “NRITYA SHIKSHA CHOODAMANI” by Guru Rajalakshmi Venkateshwar for demonstrating adherence to her gurus’ exacting standards and depth in both Nritta and Abhinaya. She has played an active role in grooming many of the younger students of the institution. She assisted her Guru in choreographing and organising various dance productions and Arangetrams.
In 2006, with her Guru’s blessing Nirupamaa established the Sriyam Institute of Indian dance Music and Culture In Kolkata, India. Sriyam has independently conducted Arangetrams since its establishment in India. In 2012, Nirupamaa moved to the US and started teaching Bharatanatyam In Edison , New Jersey. The institution now has 3 centres In Edison, Monroe and Cranbury. Between 2012 - 2018, the institute has grown manifold and has staged few productions and won many competitions in the tristate area. Students at Sriyam learn to perfect all facets of dancing: Bhava (expression), Raga (melody) and Tala (rhythm). Nirupamaa’s knowledge in music and dance added to a passionate and signature teaching style brings out the best in her students both on and off the stage.
Nirupamaa also learn Carnatic Music from Smt. Anuradha Jairaj and Smt. Kamakshi Balasubramanian. She is well versed in Carnatic music and has given many solo recitals and performed for various Fund raisers. She is also adept at playing the Nattuvangam and possesses the rare talent of singing and doing nattuvangam (verbal incantations of the rhythmical patterns of footwork) for all of her students’ performances. She also completed her Diploma from Kalai Kaviri Fine arts in the Kalakshetra Bani , Trichy and is now pursuing her Masters at Kalai Kaviri. She continues to learn this art form today from Guru Rajalakshmis Senior disciple Smt. Padmini Radhakrishnan ( Founder Director Soundarya Natya Kalalaya Foundation) and is a performing artiste of The Rasanubhava team Under Smt Padminis Guidance..
She is volunteering her time at temples and cultural organizations, where she is promoting the traditional art of Indian dance within the vastly growing South Asian population of the Tri State Area. This ancient classical dance form has now become her first love and profession.She hopes to continue her career as a BharataNatyam dancer by performing at various events and teaching students the classical dance form, so that they too can develop a deep appreciation of their rich Indian Culture.