Thara Menon is an Indian-born Canadian citizen who has received professional training in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam under celebrated South Asian classical Artists Aswathy Srikanth, N. Srikanth and RLV Anand. She initiated dance from the age of 6. Until the age of 11, Uthara was trained in both western and classical dance under the guidance of her mother and Guru, Gayathri Devi Vijaykumar who is a distinguished performer choreographer, principal and artistic director of Nupura School of Music and Dance. At the age of 12, Uthara journeyed back to her hometown in South India to receive professional training in the previously mentioned native art forms. A debut onstage performance called Arangetram lasting approximately two and a half hours was conducted by her the same year of her arrival. This was completed under the guidance of her Guru Sri RLV Anand. She has also participated and won in multiple state-level competitions for Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, and Kuchipudi, commencing from Grade 8 itself. Before further endorsing the classical arts she had also been the 1st junior runner-up in the internationally televised programme ‘Boogie Woogie,’ aired in Canada and sponsored by Sony TV entertainment. She also learned Eastern classical violin under T.H Lalitha and specialized in Carnatic music under the tutelage of Sri. Attuwaseri Mohan Pillai. Recently she completed a mohiniyattam workshop conducted by Indian Classical Dance exponent, research supervisor and cultural interpreter Methyl Devika and a Koodiyattam workshop demonstrated by illustrious Koodiyattam practitioner Kapila Venu. Her latest performances were showcased at the Arohi Festival in Hamilton, Dancing Damsels International Dance Festival, and The Toronto Malayalee Association (A non-profit secular organization upbringing in various cultural arts). Recently she has also been granted the title of professional Dance Artist under the jurisdiction of the Canada Arts Council. She studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Waterloo and currently continues to carry out her passions of teaching, performing and dancing as the associate Instructor at Nupura School of Music and Dance.
