Head of the Institute
Dr. Hima Bindu Kanoj
Hima Bindu Kanoj was initiated into Indian Classical Dance at the age of five and today holds a Doctorate in dance from the University of Hyderabad and is a graded artist from Doordarshan. She had her tutelage in dance under Gurus Smt. P.B Krishna Bharathi, Prof. Anuradha Jonnalagadda, Guru Deepika Reddy, and Guru Badrinath where she toned her dance skills to achieve perfection.
She is the recipient of the Junior Fellowship Scholarship from CCRT, New Delhi in the field of Performing Arts. She also works as a creative team member of Shri Arun Govil’s (TV - Shri Ram) team Sanatan Parampara Aur Vichaar Dhaara. She is a core member of Indian Temples research and media services, which actively works on various Indian temple projects. She also served as an Iconography expert for a project in Rashtrapathi bhavan to her excellency the President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmu.
Senior Guest Faculty
Pasumarthi Mruthyumjaya Sharma
Recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, Sri Pasumarthi Mruthyumjaya is a distinguished exponent of traditional Kuchipudi. Born into the renowned Pasumarthi and Vedantam lineages, he was initiated into the art at a young age and trained under legendary Gurus including Sri Vedantam Parvateesham, Sri Vedantam Rattiah Sarma, Sri Vedantam Radheshyam, Padma Bhushan Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, and Guru Vempati Ravi Shankar.
He holds a Master’s degree in Kuchipudi, is an ‘A’ Grade Doordarshan artist, and has excelled in solo repertoire, Kalapams, and Kuchipudi Yakshaganam. Having performed extensively across India and internationally, he is equally respected as a teacher for his strict adherence to classical aesthetics and traditional values. His ability to hold the attention of the audiences without having to compromise on the core values as a performer, teacher, choreographer and nattuvanar is an asset for the Kuchipudi art world to show case its richness.
Dr Thaisa Martins
Dr. Thaisa Martins Coelho dos Santos is an archaeologist and dance researcher whose work bridges archaeology, dance studies, and performance theory through embodied movement research. Grounded in classical Indian performance theory, particularly the Nāṭyaśāstra, her research examines gesture, movement, and the performative dimensions of images and material culture. She has been affiliated with the Department of Dance, University of Hyderabad, collaborating in research and teaching with Dr. Anuradha Jonnalagadda. Her transdisciplinary practice integrates archaeological perspectives with embodied pedagogy, linking traditional performance systems with contemporary dance practices. She holds a PhD and Master’s in Archaeology, a postgraduate degree in Dance, and a Bachelor’s in Dance Theory from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and organized the first Brazilian Portuguese translation of the Nāṭyaśāstra.
Faculty
Barma Meghana
Dr. Sushmitha Ananth Murthy
Barma Meghana
With over 16 years of practice expertise, Meghana has proved herself as an efficient dancer and performer. Adding to her abilities is her teaching expertise for the past 7 years at Muvva wherein she teaches learners from beginner to advance.
Her major performances include International tours of Malaysia and Sri Lanka apart from various national festivals in India. She is known for her role as Ravan in Muvva's choreography production Navarasa Ramacharitam.
Her education qualifications include a degree in Bachelors of Commerce from Andhra Mahila Sabha Arts and Science College, Certification in Kuchipudi Dance from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in dance from Central University of Hyderabad.
Presently she teaches in the Muvva Main Branch and SSRT Branch as chief faculty and is coordinator for the same.
Alluri Ujwala
Dr. Sushmitha Ananth Murthy
Barma Meghana
With a mesmerizing smile as Rama in Navarasa Ramacharitam, Ujwala carves a niche for herself when it comes to enacting abhinaya.
A vast experience of 16 years of practice, Ujwala has successfully delivered her expertise in training and various performances.
With certification in dance from Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Ujwala shows promise as a teacher in training learners from beginners to advance. She is a Graded artist from Doordarshan. She is a CCRT(Centre for cultural resource and training) scholarship holder in Kuchipudi dance. In her academics she holds a honors degree in Commerse from Badruka Degree College. Her active sportive spirit has made her a Senior Under Officer from National Cadet Cops (NCC).
She has performed both Internationally and Nationally and received critical acclaim for her performances.
Presently she teaches in the Muvva Main Branch and Online classes as chief faculty and is coordinator for the same.
Dr. Sushmitha Ananth Murthy
Dr. Sushmitha Ananth Murthy
Dr. Sushmitha Ananth Murthy
Dr. Sushmitha Anantha Murthy was the first batch dance practitioner at Muvva and has today emerged as a successful performer and teacher in Dance with Muvva.
Practicing Kuchipudi Dance since 20 years, Sushmitha is one of the beautiful example of of finery and perfection in Dance. Her journey of becoming a doctor in academics never stopped her passion in becoming a dancer. She remarkably merged dance into her therapy and works on various psychiatry practices for which dance can be medicine.
Not only in Kuchipudi, she excells in Mohiniattam too and heads an institute named Malar where she merges dance with therapy and teaches the same.
With a MD Psychiatry, she also holds a diploma in TAHD- Theater Arts for Holistic Development and is a Certified Arts Facilitator.
She has performed widely with Muvva and very well appreciated for her role of Hanuman in Muvva'schoreography Navarsa Ramacharitam.
Presently she takes Online classes as chief faculty and is coordinator for the same.