Classical Dancers

Sulan kurullo Song by Harun Lantra Dance by Dr M.B.S. Niranjala Fernando and students of Niranga Academy of Arts Sri Lanka - Year 1994,  Dance choreograph by Dr M.B.S. Niranjala Fernando Director of Niranga Academy of Arts Sri Lanka.


Best young female dancers in the world

Dr M.B.S. Niranjala Fernando

Malmala Baduge Subashini Niranjala Fernando, noun as Dr M.B.S. Niranjala Fernando was born on September 15th 1967 at Ratmalana Colombo in Sri Lanka. Her father was late Mr. M.T.P. Fernando, Architect of Government, Sri Lanka, and mother was late Mrs. C.P. Fernando.

Dr M.B.S. Niranjala Fernando is a qualified classically trained Sri Lankan Dancer, Specialized in different aspects of performance, Dance and Drama, Physical Education, Aerobic and Yoga Exercises.

In year 1984, October 20th Dr Niranjala made her debut at the Tower Hall Theatre at the age of 17, the sinhala ballet “Satana” produced and directed by Saimen Nawagaththegama and Kulasiri Budhawaththa. “Satana” is the first ballet dance recital she performed, before the Former President Mr. R. Pramadasa.

Kulasiri Budhawaththa, Shilpadhipathi Piyasara, Channa Wijewardana, Ravibandu Widyapathi and several other professional dancers also performed in this ballet.

Later she performed in several ballet dance including “Ravana” a ballet produce by Suneth Gokula. She is a talented dancer in cultural dance as well as modern dance.

Dr Niranjala learnt Kandyan dance from Chitrasena Kalayathanaya, Budhawaththa Rangayathanaya, Shilpadhipathi Piyasara, Karunarathna Bandara, Shilpadhipathi Sumathipala, Pitigala Jayasena and many more other school and university teachers. She learnt Weston dancing from Prins Rathnam

Dr Niranjala performed at annual “Gam Udawa” shows and “Uada Gam” shows, produce by Tower Hall Theatre Maradana Colombo.

Dr M.B.S. Niranjala founded the National dance school “Niranga Kalayathanaya”,in 1987 and she established her school of arts, the “Niranga Academy of Arts” in Colombo at Ratmalana in 1990, And Niranjala Dance troupe in year 2002 Dr Niranjala choreographer so many dance items for all the television channels in Sri Lanka.

She was also the winner of several dance awards including the best kandyan dancer (All island 1987) - Sri Lanka.

Dr M.B.S. Niranjala Fernando is the author of the first Sinhalese fitness book in Sri Lanka.

Dr M.B.S. Niranjala Fernando Managing Director of Niranga Academy of Arts also has the following qualifications.

Life Transformation Aesthetics Psychology PhD (UK)

B.A. and M.A. in Dancing (University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka)

Diploma in Psychology (American College of Higher Education)

Diploma in Dance/Music Government Examination (Part -1 / Part -2 / Part -3- finals)

Certificate in Education for life (Institute of Integral Education., Wewala, Piliyandala, Sri Lanka)

Training Course on Television Media (Sri Lanka Television Training Institute

Certificate of Training Fitness & Health / Aerobic (International fitness convention)

Certificate of Training Yoga (Yoga Vidya Dham)

Certificate Course on Computer Applications (University of Colombo)

Her dancing career brought her many awards


All Island Youth Award

Best Talented Kandyan Dancer - 1985
Best Talented Cultural Dancer - 1986
Best Talented Modern Dancer - 1986
Best Kandyan Dancer All Island - 1987
Best Modern Dancer All Island - 1987
Best Talented Singer " folk songs" - 1989

Her Work Experience as follows:

Work as, a dancing teacher in Primary and Montessori Schools - (H.F.C. Dehiwala/ St. Joseph - Primary and Montessori, - Katubedda and Nugegoda – (10 years)

Dancing teacher and director of Niranga Academy of Arts - (more than 20 years)

Organising / directing concerts in Primary and Montessori schools - (12 years)

Directing Dancing programmes for Television (10 years)

Work as, an instructor of Fitness (more than 12 years)

Worked at “SUBODHI INSTITUTE” as a part – time Lecturer / Facilitator on the Life Education Programme form June 1997 to January 1998

Dr M.B.S. Niranjala Fernando is a dancer, choreographer, writer, teacher, lecturer, Psychology counsel and an instructor of Fitness.

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Bindu Pillai

“Dancing gives you wings and sets you free”. Bindu has always been passionate about dance and feels that it’s a medium that has helped her express herself. She has learnt Bharatanatyam back in India.

She joined Arpan 2 and half years back to get back and hone the finer skills of this art form. She loves dancing and plans to continue dancing all her life. She has also learnt Jazz dance, modern dance and folk dances. She wishes to choreograph a Broadway show at some point

Along with dancing Bindu also indulges in Oil painting and Jewelry making. She likes to go on long road trips and wants to travel the world, not necessarily by road. She loves watching movies and is a voracious reader. She also works for Microsoft.

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Nikita Thakrar

Nikita Thakrar is a British born Indian dance artist, teacher and Yogi with intelligence and dignity.

She is an artist and entrepreneur who inspires others through her own success and achievements.

At the age of 18, Nikita began her spiritual journey. From growing up analysing and trying to understand the world around her, Nikita’s passion for Indian dance and a ‘calling’ took her to the sacred land of India.

It was here that Nikita met her mentor, Shila Mehta, renowned Indian Kathak dancer and Guru who introduced Nikita to the grace and beauty of traditional Indian Kathak dance. She since trained under India’s greatest dance Gurus including Pandit Birju Maharaj and Kumudini Lakhia. Only two years later she founded the ‘Dancing Nikita Company’ in April 2005 at just 20 years of age.

The Dancing Nikita Company is an Indian dance company which gives Nikita a medium to share her passion through teaching, choreographing and performing classical Indian Kathak dance.

In 2008 Nikita was recognised for her dual achievements as an adept business woman and talented dancer as she was shortlisted for both the ‘Asian Women of Achievement’ and ‘Asian Achievers’ awards in the UK. Later that year she was awarded the ‘Milapfest National Travelling Scholarship’ which enabled her to re-visit India to develop her skills as a dance performer and teacher.

In 2009 Nikita was short listed for the 02 X award as ‘young entrepreneur of the year’ and in 2010, for the ‘I believe’ business women’s award.

Nikita’s success has motivated her to remain dedicated to helping others through dance. She herself performs regularly at not-for-profit shows and runs workshops for charities. Her performance troupe frequently performs for commercial events and high profile shows to raise awareness of Indian dance and culture among the modern British society.

Nikita is also a published poet and accomplished writer. In her spare time she enjoys going to the theatre and reading motivational and self-help books. She is currently writing a book based on her life experiences and plans to publish it.

In addition, Nikita regularly goes into schools and colleges giving talks to the youth about career decisions and she speaks at seminars and spiritual gatherings.

Nikita is an inspirational example of someone who is living their purpose and fulfilling their potential.

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Lily Wang

I started learning dance and piano at the age of 4. My mother sent me to a dancing school close by , run by a famous dancer. I was too young then to understand and experience anything special form dance. In fact, in the beginning . I felt pain and dullness. I wanted to quit.

Later we moved to a place far from the school and my parents forced me to go all the way across the city to continue studying dance. After going through the first tribulations, I began to feel something and started to enjoy it, which kept dancing. My parents later told me they wanted to help develop persistence in doing things. Looking back I really appreciate what they have done for me.