Vibha Selvaratnam MMath
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Kiran Ratna MSc FISTD
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Based in Exeter, Vibha Selvaratnam leads India Dance South West. Vibha is one of the most gifted dancers, but is recognised as one of the top young dancers in the UK having been invited to perform at several young dancer showcases. Vibha was born into dance with her mother Kiran Ratna and trained in Bharatanatyam from a very early age. Her Arangetram (debut performance) was in 2008. Vibha has also recived short term training with many other eminent Gurus (Chitraleka Bolar, Praveen Kumar, Dhananjayans are a few to be named). She has also done some ISTD grades in Classical Ballet.
After qualifying with a Masters in Mathematics from Oxford University, Vibha continues to work as a research scientist as well as a dancer. Her outstanding solo dance recitals tours both in India and the UK have propelled her onto the international dance scene. Vibha continues to actively perform, choreograph and teach. Vibha’s stunning professional solo recitals, productions of Navarasa and Nayika have created a marked interest in Bharatanatyam in the area. As well as a performer, Vibha has a great interest and ability in passing on the art form through leading regular classes in Exeter and Plymouth, having 100% pass rate for her students sitting ISTD dance exams. |
Kiran began dance training with Kathak at a very early age in India. In 1978 she switched to Bharatanatyam with her Guru Chitraleka Bolar. After qualifying with a Masters in Electronics Engineering from Cardiff University, Kiran continued with dance on a part-time basis. From 1991, she dedicated herself fully to Bharatanatyam and formed Wales’ first Indian Dance Company ‘The Kiran Ratna Company’. In 1998 the Company was formalised as ‘India Dance Wales’, with Kiran as the Artistic Director.
Now based in Berkshire, she continues as India Dance BN and supports the daughter Companies in Wales led by those who trained with her. Although Kiran’s main style is Bharatanatyam, she has had some training in a range of styles including, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Ballet. Over the last 4 decades, Kiran has trained performing and teaching Bharatanatyam dancers of the next generation. As well as being a teacher, she is an Examiner and Committee member for the Classical Indian Dance faculty of the Imperial School of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). ......Ratna has done much in her workshops and performances to introduce British audience to the flowing grace and exquisite precision of Classical Indian Dance. |
Awards & recognition
As well as being invited by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth for a Royal Reception at Buckingham Palace in 2009 and 2016 Kiran has received following awards
- Kiran was the first to receive “Distinguished Teachers Award” from Milapfest (2010)
- Kiran was the first to receive Welsh Asian Women’s Achievement Award (2011) for her contribution to the Arts in Wales.
- In 2020 Kiran Awarded Fellowship of ISTD (Imperial School of Teachers of Dancing)
