Meet our Team
The team behind IDEA has one thing in common: the appreciation of dance. Everyone plays a different role in Austin’s Indian dance community.
Priya Subramony
Priya Subramony works in Intellectual Property Law specializing in Biotechnology and was a scientist in her previous career. She has a deep love for Indian classical dances and has enjoyed being part of her daughter’s Bharatanatyam journey. She joined IDEA as a Board Member in 2024 to contribute to an organization dedicated to helping local dance schools perform and thrive.
As President of India Dance Endeavor of Austin (IDEA), her vision is to create a comprehensive platform of dance resources for all Indian dance schools and dancers in the Austin area. She aims to see Indian classical and folk dances flourish as part of India’s cultural heritage. Her goal is to foster a vibrant and inclusive Indian dance community, nurturing talented young dancers.
Kanaka Sathasivan
Kanaka is an Austin native and Bharathanatyam teacher. Since 2000, she has been teaching with Natyalaya School of Dance, and has helped dozens of students through arangetram training. She also is founder and director of the award-winning lighting company Natya Sabhai Arts, which also provides free training in theater tech to young girls and women. They have assisted with over 150 shows since 2009. She is currently a public health communications expert at Texas Health Institute.
Ravi Pothukuchy
Ravi is a Financial Planner and was an I/T professional in his previous career. He has provided photography for over 120 arangetrams in Central Texas. He has been associated with several cultural organizations from his student days in various positions. Currently, he is also an executive member of the Indian Classical Music Circle of Austin (ICMCA).
Hemanth Bhagawatula
Hemanth is passionate about theater technology, and provides technical and audio support to many non-profits in the area, along with sound engineering for Arangetrams and other shows. He sees the technical needs of stage presence and joined IDEA to help advocate and support dancers throughout Austin. He is also a trustee and serving on the executive committee at Austin Hindu Temple and has been a driving force behind the growth and development of the community center and its technical capabilities. He is also a board member of Austin Nautanki. He has been working for the past 22 years at Kapsch TraffiicCom, and is currently a Systems Architect.
Amrutha Sridhar
Amrutha has been a dancer for over 25 years. Raised in the bharatanatyam world, she also found fun in the bollywood fusion dance team in college. Hailing from New Jersey, she joined IDEA to support the mission of spreading knowledge and awareness of her favorite hobby, dance. She is also well versed in hair and makeup needs for dancers and is often hired as a makeup artist for Arangetrams.
As Operations Manager, she helps organize communications that relay IDEA’s mission and purpose.
name
volunteer program lead
We are still looking to fill this role and are accepting nominations!
Please email secretary@ideaustin.org if you are interested in this role.
Trisha Patel
intern
Trisha is passionate about IDEA’s mission and dedicated to contributing in any way possible. As a sponsorship recipient for her Arangetram, she knows everything IDEA is capable of. She offers support, assist with tasks, and find new ways or finding new ways to help IDEA’s goals.