Founder & Artistic Director - Mrs. Medinee (Rupa) Aranke
Born into a liberal and art-loving family Mrs. Rupa started training in Bharatanatyam at the age of 7 from Guru Mani of the Kalasadan dance institute in Mumbai. Her deep interest in the art form inspired her to join Bachelors program of Indian classical dance (Bharatanatyam) at the Nalanda Dance Research Center, which is affiliated with the University of Mumbai. Under the guidance of her gurus Padma Bhushan Dr.Smt.Kanak Rele and late Guru Shri. T V Sounderajan, she completed her BFA (Bachelors in Fine Arts) and later MFA (Masters in Fine Arts in Bharatanatyam).
She has performed in many of the dance productions by her college across India. She has almost 30 years of teaching experience and has conducted classes successfully in Mumbai and re-started them after migrating to USA in 2004. Her students are given ample opportunities to display their talent in various cultural events in Houston and surrounding areas.
Mrs. Rupa is also a dance examiner of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and has been going to various centers in USA to conduct them. She also serves as a visiting faculty member at the University of Houston, delivering lectures of Indian art and culture in their Foundation Indian Studies Program.
Assisting Faculty - Tanuja Sahasrabudhe
Folk Dances & Bollywood
Tanuja, a bright, cheerful, energetic mother of two young kids has undying passion for Indian classical, folk and Bollywood dancing. Since childhood she has been involved in theatre, be it dancing or acting. She had her earlier training in Bhartanatyam from Kanta Nritya kala kendra, Mumbai, India, under the tutelage of Guru Ms, Bindu.
After migrating to USA and becoming a home maker her passion for the art had to take a back seat…..but not for long. She got involved in the Marathi Mandal’s cultural wing of Houston and choreographed dances for their various cultural events. She is also currently a committee member of the mandals cultural wing. This is where she met her current Guru. Mrs. Rupa Aranke and her passion for Bharat Natyam resurfaced. She is continuing her remaining training in Bharat Natyam as well as taken the responsibility of assisting in teaching and choregraphing folk, semiclassical and Bollywood dances.
Tanuja strongly believes that there is no restriction of age, physical attributes or even personality as a whole to dancing….and she proves her point! With this positive and never dying attitude she is definitely a precious addition to Nupur Center of performing arts team.