Tharini has been learning Bharatha Natyam for the past seventeen years from her mother, Kalyani Shanmugarajah.She has also undergone training from Sri Bhagavatalu Seetarama Sarma, a world-renowned Indian dance and music choreographer, during her Arangetram. She has been performing since the age of six and performed her first solo dance debut at the age of fourteen in 2002. More recently she is blessed to be under the guidance of her mother’s guru, Smt. Sharada Hoffman who is guru to some of the most legendary dancers from Kalakshetra.

She has continued to be actively involved in the Kalapeetham dance school, established by her mother in 1990. Tharini has participated in many of Kalapeetham’s dance productions such as “Kalidasa’s Ritu Samhara,” “Maricha Vadam,” (from the Ramayanam) and “Shiva Leela.” Along with her mother, Tharini has created the Kalapeetham Dance Company, of which she is now the director.

On July 2nd 2005, she produced and directed a performance entitled “Survivors,” which raised $10,000 to benefit the Susan G. Komen Los Angeles County Affiliate. Tharini was also the lead dance choreographer in a Susan G. Komen event called “Fashion for the Cure,” on October 29th 2005. She has also participated in the “Archana” program in 2005 and the Sri Lanka Foundation “Sri Lanka Day” performance in 2006. This past summer, Tharini had the opportunity to perform in Toronto, Canada for the first time.

In addition to studying Bharatha Natyam, Tharini has also learned Ballet, which has accentuated her experience as a dancer. Her love for the fine arts made her realize the important role of music in dance, and she took up learning Carnatic music (Indian Classical Vocal Music) from Smt. Shankari Senthilkumar.

On February 26th 2006, Tharini was also named the “Face of Bhindi 2006,” in a model search competition held by Ziba Beauty Center. She was the cover model for the 20th Anniversary Edition of the Ziba Beauty Magazine.
Tharini is currently pursuing a degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis on Indian Dance. She has hopes to pursue her passion for dance as a professional career throughout her lifetime and has aspirations of establishing a center for Indian fine arts and culture for the generations to come.

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