Jayshree Bala Rajamani

photo: K. T. Kannan Photography

Jayshree Bala Rajamani is one of the leading practitioners and teachers of the ancient Indian dance form of Bharathanatyam in Massachusetts. She was initiated into this art by her mother and then came under the tutelage of eminent Guru K.J. Govindarajan. She specialized in Abhinaya with Guru Jamuna Krishnan.

Continuing her Guru’s legacy, she founded Bharathakalai School of Dance in 1987.

Over the years she has received numerous awards and accolades for both performing and teaching. In 2021 LexSeeHer, organized by the Town of Lexington, honored her by giving her a Visibility Banner for her service to the community through dance. In 2019 she had a successful performance tour of India to rave reviews. 2012 marked the 25th Anniversary of her dance school and her imparting training to multiple students both in India and now in the greater Boston area.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives honored her with a special citation on this occasion:
“We celebrate and honor your passion, your art, and your loving devotion. You have immeasurably enriched your students and your community.”

In addition to her ongoing teaching commitments, Rajamani also conducts Lec-Dems on Bharathanatyam at different schools, universities and museums. She has been collaborating with non-traditional musicians and dancers, showcasing not merely her own versatility as an artist but also the versatility of the dance form to much critical acclaim. A few collaborators include world-jazz ensemble Natraj, tap dancer Ryan Casey, and Colonial Dancers from Lexington.

In 2015 she created the TriNethra: The Third Eye Festival of Dance, aimed at celebrating and promoting dance and dancers in the Greater Boston Area and from around the globe.

Rajamani has a Master’s degree in Mass Communications from the Mass Communication Research Center, New Delhi.

“Jayshree was resplendent and her expressive eyes and exquisite footwork worked magic on the audience.” – The Hindu, Hyderabad India, Aug 24, 2014

“Combination of Bharathanatyam – an Indian classical dance form, acclaimed jazz music and different world music tradition is not very often taken together on one stage. It was very carefully handled by a stunning effort of talented artists like Jayshree & all members of Natraj band in bringing out the essence of multicultural collaboration.” – Lokvani, e-Newsletter, October 10, 2010

Albums

Ragamala Paintings Alive!

Release Date: October 13, 2023
Catalog Number: BR8983
21st Century
Jazz
World
Bass
Percussion
Saxophone
Tabla
Violin
Composed by Phil Scarff and performed by world-jazz ensemble Natraj, RAGAMALA PAINTINGS ALIVE! shines a contemporary light on historic artwork from India. The members of Natraj individually and collectively bring a wealth of experience exploring the intersection of jazz and global musical traditions. Their stunning performance showcased in this release is wide ranging, deep, and accessible, while firmly rooted in the rich tapestry of Indian classical music. RAGAMALA PAINTINGS ALIVE! is part of a larger multimedia work created in collaboration with Indian classical dancer Jayshree Bala Rajamani, incorporating dance, music, spoken word, and projected images. It brings to life historic ragamala paintings, with each painting representing one Indian classical raga or melodic framework. Inspired by Modest Mussorgsky and his iconic work, Pictures at an Exhibition, Scarff threads the suite together with musical “promenades” that represent the viewer entering and moving about an art gallery, with each theme anticipating a painting or set of paintings to come. Whether heard on its own or experienced as a full multimedia performance, RAGAMALA PAINTINGS ALIVE! takes listeners on a compelling contemporary journey that celebrates classic ragamala paintings from India.