There is something powerful about two sisters building a dream together.
For Suhaanya and Mathura Madivanan, Nartaki Fine Arts began long before there was a studio, a name, or a batch of students. It began in childhood, in Bharathanatyam classes, stage performances, family encouragement, and a shared love for an art form that became part of who they are.
They started dancing at the age of four, completed their major dance milestones together, and eventually chose to turn their passion into something they could build with their own hands. In 2020, they founded Nartaki Fine Arts, a space rooted in classical dance, discipline, culture, and the belief that dance should feel welcoming to people of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds.
Behind that dream was also the steady presence of their father, helping them believe that what they imagined could become real.
Could you both introduce yourselves, not just as dance teachers, but as sisters, women, and founders of Nartaki Fine Arts?
Nartaki Fine Arts is the realisation of a dream that has been growing with us since childhood.
We are sisters with a six-year age gap, but we have always done many things together, and Bharathanatyam naturally became a cherished part of our lives. We attended classes together, performed on stage together, and over the years, dance became more than a passion. It became our way of life.
The vision of starting our own dance school was planted in our hearts long ago. Alongside our love for dance, we also strongly believe in financial independence, not only as women, but as individuals. We believe in working hard, setting goals, and building a life with stability, comfort, and purpose.
As founders of Nartaki Fine Arts, we are committed to preserving the authenticity, tradition, and values of Bharathanatyam as taught to us by our gurus. We wanted to create a welcoming space where anyone with an interest in learning can begin their Bharathanatyam journey, regardless of age, body type, or background.
At Nartaki Fine Arts, every student should feel safe, comfortable, confident, and valued. Our mission is to nurture skilled dancers while also helping individuals develop discipline, self-expression, and a deep appreciation for this beautiful classical art form.
You both started dancing at the age of four. When you look back now, what role did dance play in shaping the girls you were before it became the work you do today?
Dance shaped us in many ways beyond performance and technique.
Through Bharathanatyam, we learned discipline, hard work, consistency, commitment, and perseverance. It taught us to keep going when challenges arise, to keep improving ourselves, and to embrace lifelong learning.
More than anything, dance inspired us to spread positivity and share the joy of this beautiful art form with others.
These values continue to guide us as individuals and as founders of Nartaki Fine Arts. We hope to pass on the art of Bharathanatyam, along with the life lessons it carries, so our students can grow with confidence, resilience, and purpose.
You completed your Salangai Poojai and later your Arangetram together in 2016. What did those milestones mean to both of you, especially experiencing them side by side as sisters?
They represented years of training, dedication, perseverance, and our love for the art. Experiencing them side by side as sisters made every challenge easier and every achievement more meaningful.
We grew, learned, and celebrated together, creating memories that we will always cherish. It was a proud moment for us, and also for our family and teachers who guided us throughout the journey.
Before Nartaki Fine Arts became real, what did the dream look like when it was still just something the two of you spoke about?
It was a dream we often spoke about; a vision of sharing our passion for Bharathanatyam and creating a space where students could learn, grow, and connect with their culture.
What started as conversations between us gradually grew into a shared purpose.
We wanted to build a nurturing community where art, discipline, and lifelong friendships could flourish, a place where anyone could join, learn, and fulfil their passion.
What is it like building something so personal with someone who has known every version of you?
Building Nartaki Fine Arts feels very much like raising a baby together.
We put our hearts into everything we do because we share the same vision, values, and passion for what we are creating. Every decision is made with care, from planning our classes to shaping learning experiences for our students.
One of our greatest strengths is the understanding we have as sisters and partners. We support each other through every challenge and celebration, always working towards the same goal.
We feel blessed to have each other’s support, and that bond is reflected in the nurturing and welcoming environment we strive to create at Nartaki Fine Arts.
Was there a specific moment when you both realised that Nartaki Fine Arts was no longer just a dream, but something you were ready to build?
Yes.
After completing our Arangetram and gaining invaluable experience learning numerous pieces under the guidance of our beloved guru, Shrimathi Devi Maheswaran, we felt inspired to establish a dance school that would serve as a safe and nurturing space for aspiring dancers.
We spent time planning, preparing ourselves, and shaping our vision before officially founding Nartaki Fine Arts.
You started Nartaki Fine Arts in 2020, a year when many people were holding back. What gave both of you the courage to begin anyway?
We officially began our journey in January 2020. Two months later, the COVID-19 lockdown brought the world to a standstill.
Like many others, we felt anxious and unsure of what would happen next. But, several of our students chose to stay with us throughout that difficult period. Their trust and commitment gave us the strength to keep going.
We quickly adapted by setting up Zoom classes and continuing our lessons online. We even prepared our students for their Salangai Poojai performances virtually.
We recorded each step with detailed explanations and shared the videos through our WhatsApp group. The students practised at home, recorded their progress, and sent their videos back to us for feedback.
It was a completely new way of teaching and learning, but together we made it work. That experience reminded us that nothing is impossible.
Your father has been your rock throughout this journey. What role did he play in helping both of you believe that this dream was possible?
Our father has been our biggest pillar of support in everything we do.
He has always been by our side, guiding us with thoughtful advice and encouraging us every step of the way. Our entire family has also been an incredible source of strength throughout this journey.
From scouting for the perfect location to setting up our studio, he was there through it all, making sure every detail, from the door handles to the ceiling fans, was just right. Even today, he continues to share ideas and advice on advertising, marketing, and growing Nartaki Fine Arts.
No matter what stage of the journey we are in, we know we can always count on him. And honestly, there is no running away from him. His support, eye for detail, and constant guidance have played a huge part in making Nartaki Fine Arts what it is today.
For many daughters, a father’s belief becomes one of the first forms of confidence they learn to trust. How has your father’s faith in both of you shaped the way you see yourselves as women, dancers, and founders?
Our father’s belief in us has been one of the greatest blessings in our lives.
From a young age, he taught us to be independent, responsible, and confident in our decisions. Knowing that he believed in our abilities gave us the courage to dream bigger and pursue our passion without fear.
As dancers, he reminded us that success comes through discipline, consistency, and humility. As women, he encouraged us to stand strong, trust ourselves, and never let challenges define us.
When we decided to establish Nartaki Fine Arts, he never questioned our vision. He stood beside us, offering guidance, practical advice, and constant encouragement whenever we needed it.
His faith in us has shaped who we are as dancers, founders, and women. It has taught us to lead with confidence, stay grounded in our values, and always give our best.
Every milestone we celebrate is a reflection of the love, trust, and support he has given us throughout this journey. We truly believe that behind every achievement of ours stands a family that believed in us long before anyone else did.
What do you want people to understand about the role fathers can play in helping daughters feel brave enough to step into the world and build lives of their own?
We hope people understand that a father’s role is not to decide his daughter’s future, but to empower her to create it.
When a father believes in his daughter, encourages her ideas, and allows her to find her own path, he gives her invaluable confidence.
Our father never told us what we could or could not achieve. He reminded us to work hard, stay grounded, and believe in ourselves. He trusted us to make our own decisions, while always being there with guidance whenever we needed it.
That support gave us the courage to pursue Bharathanatyam professionally and eventually build Nartaki Fine Arts from the ground up.
We believe fathers can shape how their daughters see themselves. When daughters grow up knowing they are respected, trusted, and supported at home, they are more likely to step into the world with resilience, confidence, and compassion.
They become women who are not afraid to dream, lead, and create opportunities for themselves and for others.
If our journey has taught us anything, it is that behind every confident daughter is someone who believed in her before she believed in herself. For us, that person has always been our father.
Building something of your own is very different from only loving the art. What did becoming founders teach you about responsibility, sacrifice, and showing up even when it is difficult?
Building a dance school taught us that passion alone is not enough.
Loving Bharathanatyam inspired us to begin, but becoming founders required us to wear many hats beyond being dancers and teachers. We had to learn about planning, administration, finances, marketing, and, most importantly, how to be responsible for the students and families who placed their trust in us.
It also taught us sacrifice. There were times when we had to put aside personal plans, work long hours, and make difficult decisions for the sake of the school.
During the pandemic, we experienced this more than ever. We faced uncertainty, but we knew our students were looking to us for guidance and consistency. So we adapted, continued teaching online, and found new ways to keep the learning going.
Those moments reminded us that true commitment means showing up, even when the path ahead is unclear.
Being founders has also taught us that leadership is about serving others. It is about creating a safe, nurturing environment where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to grow as dancers and as individuals.
Every challenge has strengthened our purpose and reminded us why we started Nartaki Fine Arts in the first place.
Looking back, building something of our own has shaped us just as much as Bharathanatyam has. It has made us more resilient, more patient, and more grateful for every milestone we have achieved together.
As sisters building a school together, how do you balance the personal and professional sides of your relationship?
Being sisters has always been our greatest strength.
We understand each other in ways that do not always need words, and that has helped us build Nartaki Fine Arts with a shared vision and purpose. At the same time, working together has taught us communication, mutual respect, and knowing when to support one another.
Like any siblings, we have different ideas and perspectives, and there are moments when we disagree. But every discussion comes from wanting the best for our students and our school.
We respect each other’s strengths, trust each other’s decisions, and always find our way back to the same goal.
Balancing our personal and professional relationship also means knowing when to leave work at work. While Nartaki Fine Arts is a huge part of our lives, we also make time to simply be sisters, laugh, spend time with our family, and enjoy life’s little moments together.
At the end of the day, our bond as sisters is the foundation of everything we have built. We are not just business partners or dance teachers. We are each other’s biggest supporters, constantly encouraging one another to grow, learn, and lead with compassion.
What do you think each of you brings differently to Nartaki Fine Arts, and how do those differences make the school stronger?
One of us is more organised and enjoys planning and managing things behind the scenes, while the other is more creative and enjoys exploring new ideas in teaching and choreography.
These differences help us balance each other. We learn from one another, support each other, and always make decisions with our students’ best interests at heart.
Our different personalities and teaching styles also help us connect with students in different ways.
In the end, we share the same goal; to provide quality Bharathanatyam training in a warm, supportive, and inspiring environment. Our differences are what make Nartaki Fine Arts stronger.
Mathura, before becoming a full-time dance teacher, you worked with children. What did that season of your life teach you about patience, trust, and helping young students feel safe enough to learn and express themselves?
Working with children before becoming a full-time dance teacher taught me that every child learns at their own pace.
It helped me develop patience and understand the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment where children feel comfortable being themselves.
I also learnt that trust is built over time. When children feel heard, encouraged, and accepted, they become more confident in expressing themselves and more willing to try new things without fear of making mistakes.
Those experiences have shaped the way I teach at Nartaki Fine Arts today.
I believe dance is not just about learning steps. It is also about helping every child grow in confidence, discipline, and self-expression.
Seeing my students enjoy the learning process and believe in themselves is one of the most rewarding parts of being a teacher.
Suhaanya, you are married, a mother of two, and still a full-time dance teacher. What has this season of your life taught you about continuing to choose your own passion and purpose while carrying many roles as a woman?
Being a wife, a mother of two, and a full-time dance teacher means my days are full, but I have learned that continuing to pursue what I love allows me to show up more fully in every role I carry.
Dance has always been more than a career for me.
There are days when balancing everything feels challenging. Not every day is perfectly balanced, but I have realised that it is okay to ask for support, to prioritise differently in different seasons, and to give myself grace.
For me, choosing my passion is not about choosing myself over my family. It is about becoming the best version of myself for them.
At the end of the day, purpose is not found in doing everything perfectly. It is found in showing up with intention, gratitude, and the courage to keep growing through every season of life.
Nartaki Fine Arts carries the message that there is no age or size limit. Why was it important for you to create a space where children, teenagers, young women, mothers, and older women can all feel welcome?
When we were students, there were times when we were excluded from certain programmes because we were plus-sized.
Even though we understood the reasons given at the time, it still made us feel sad. We wondered why we were not welcomed despite being good dancers.
That experience stayed with us. It became one of the reasons we wanted to create a safe space for everyone, regardless of age, size, gender, or background.
At Nartaki Fine Arts, we want people to know they do not have to fit into a certain image before they are allowed to dance. If they have the interest, passion, and willingness to learn, there should be a place for them.
How do you help students who walk in feeling shy, conscious, too old, too late, or not “ready” realise that dance can begin from exactly where they are?
We always tell our students that they do not have to be perfect or “ready” to start dancing.
They just need the courage to take the first step.
Many people come in feeling shy or thinking they are too old or too late. We remind them that everyone starts as a beginner, and there is no right age or perfect time to learn.
We try to create a safe and positive space where they feel comfortable making mistakes and learning at their own pace. We celebrate progress, not perfection.
The best part is seeing their confidence grow. They do not just become better dancers, they become more confident in themselves.
We truly believe dance can begin from exactly where you are. It is never too late to start.
Nartaki Fine Arts also opens its space to other forms of movement and learning, including karate and Zumba. Why did you want the school to become a wider community space beyond Indian classical dance alone?
We wanted Nartaki Fine Arts to be a space where people of all ages could come together to learn, grow, and build meaningful connections.
While Bharathanatyam remains at the heart of what we do, we believe every form of movement has something valuable to offer. Each one helps build confidence, discipline, fitness, and overall well-being in its own way.
By opening our doors to different activities, we have created a community where everyone can find something they enjoy. For us, it is about bringing people together, encouraging lifelong learning, and creating a welcoming space where everyone feels they belong.
Looking ahead, what do you hope Nartaki Fine Arts continues to represent for your family, your students, and every girl or woman who walks in looking for confidence, belonging, or a place to begin?
We hope Nartaki Fine Arts continues to be a place where people feel welcomed, valued, and inspired.
More than teaching dance, we want it to be a space where confidence grows, friendships are built, and everyone feels they belong.
For our family, we hope it becomes a legacy of passion, culture, and service that can be carried forward to future generations.
For our students, we hope it is a place that helps them discover their talent, confidence, and resilience. We also encourage them to open more branches once they have completed their Arangetram, so the legacy can continue.
And for every girl or woman who walks through our doors, we hope she leaves believing in herself a little more than when she arrived.
If Nartaki Fine Arts can give someone the courage to take that first step, express themselves freely, and realise their own potential, then we know we have fulfilled our purpose.
That is the legacy we want to continue; no age limit, no size limit, and a space where everyone is welcome to begin.
