Swetha Dixit

Swetha is the founder and artistic director of Kalaikoil established in 1985 in California, USA. She is proud to have trained under Guru Smt Vaasanti Gopinath Jaiaswal, daughter of Guru’s Gopinath/Thankamani. Her guru trained her in concert programming, conducting, and more important, with teacher training.  Swetha was fortunate to briefly learn with her Guru’s Guru, Paramaguru, Late Sri Udupi Jayaram. A more amazing fact is that Swetha learned under her Parameshtiguru, Late Sri Kalaimamani VS Muthuswami Pillai (student of late Sri Muthukumaran Pillai, Tanjore Gnyana). Though the definitive lines of this bani may have blurred, the attention-to-detail with regard to posture stuck with her.  Angashuddi, Araimandi and natural Abhinaya are “wanted”.

In addition, she learned Bharatanatyam theory under Sri T.S. Parthasarathy. He affectionately guided the set up of Kalaikoil’s extensive music and dance research library. Guru Vaasanthi contributed numerous vintage texts in Malayalam, Samskritham, English, etc to the Kalaikoil library.

Previously Swetha performed independently with Young Audiences of Northern California where she provided programs to public schools and libraries. Over the years, programs throughout India, Asia and USA have delighted the connoisseur of this dance art tradition.  Recent programs showcase her student’s talent and encourage their cultural connection and awareness. Kalaikoil students proudly present this art dance to the local community as well as at temples and cultural organizations. She contributed to many theatrical productions with her original choreography (and her uncanny ability to manufacture authentic props).  She was honored by Sri Sivan Arts for delving into compositions by Sri Papanasam Sivan and consistently presenting these often in a contemporary way that shows the evergreen relevance of these songs. She also received recognition from the Pleasanton Arts Council, Livermore Rotary Club, and received a Lucas Performing Arts award for her theatrical contributions over the years.

Guru Smt Vaasanthi trained Swetha in the intricacies of physical abhinaya. Swetha also learned under Late Kalaimamani Smt Kalanidhi Narayanan with her unique approach to expressing the panorama of heartfelt thoughts of our great Carnatic composers. Having learned both teaching systems benefits the expressional richness of our students. While Swetha’s specialty and passion is abhinaya, Guru Smt Vaasanti encouraged her attention-to-detail and skill with complex group choreography. All Swetha’s achievements, would not have been possible without the blessings and encouragement  from dear Guru and family.