Ashwaty Chennat is a dancer, choreographer and teaching artist, based in Chicago. From her mother’s womb, Ashwaty began her Bharatanatyam training with Smt. Sudha Chandrasekhar in Detroit, Michigan. As soon as she could hold her aramandalam, Ashwaty joined the classroom learning the graceful, preserved Thanjavur tradition of Sri Rajarajeshwari School in Bombay, with the guidance of the late Mahalingam Pillai and Kalyanasundaram Pillai. Following years of rigorous training, Ashwaty completed her Arangetram in 2008. Currently, Ashwaty continues her understanding and love for Bharatanatyam with Pranita Nayar.
While she persevered in the style of Bharatanatyam, Ashwaty trained intensively in ballet (Cecchetti method), jazz, and tap with Deena Fournier and Lisa Holland (Ann Arbor, MI). She also spent summers learning Mohiniyattam in Cochin, Bangalore, and in Detroit, and has learned South Asian forms including Sri Lankan dance, folk, and Bollywood. Ashwaty is trained in vocal music (Carnatic and Classica/Choral), acting, improvisational theatre, and consistently performs whenever she gets the opportunity! She incorporates all of her performance experiences into the classroom and in her work.
Ashwaty has directed and choreographed large-scale productions for classical Indian dance and its modern interpretations at prestigious venues throughout Michigan and Illinois. Some highlights include: Hill Auditorium (Ann Arbor), McCormick Place, the Logan Center for the Arts, and the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2016, she collaborated with renowned international cellist, Mauro Valli, to set Bharatanatyam to the suites of Bach.
Ashwaty continues to learn and observe from Bharatanatyam practitioners, dance artists, and creators of all forms, including musicians and filmmakers (Ashwaty holds a BA in film from the University of Michigan). Ashwaty is honored to share the joy of endlessly shaping tradition.