--- title: "Life at Ambalam: Bharatanatyam Community & Culture in Bengaluru" description: "Explore Life at Ambalam, where Bharatanatyam is a community journey. From rituals to nature hikes, join our classical dance training in Bengaluru." canonical: https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/indian-classical-arts-training/life-at-ambalam last_updated: 2025-09-08 --- # Life at Ambalam: A Community Beyond the Studio Tribe Verified · Building a community through Bharatanatyam in Bengaluru. By [Indira Kadambi](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi) · Classes at Ambalam Foundation, Jigani; Training available across Bengaluru · ₹3,500 per session (estimate) Part of [Indian Classical Arts Training](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/indian-classical-arts-training). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/indian-classical-arts-training/gallery) Ambalam is where we dance, learn, and grow together. Here is a glimpse into the rituals, nature hikes, and shared moments that define our community. ## Photos and videos - ![A tribute to Lord Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. This altar was set up for Bhanu Priya's performance, invoking blessings for her journey in dance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0cc1fe79-971b-450f-b258-9dbe034c4e77) - ![A tribute to a beloved artist. This image honors the memory of Manjunath, an excellent costume tailor who crafted beautiful costumes for my Ambalam girls.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/24b201d2-d212-46f4-9a5c-954f2785a989) - ![My thoughts on the sacred title of 'Guru.' It is a responsibility that should never be taken lightly, and we must all remain lifelong students of our art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/30151176-9acd-4744-8493-16492141c360) - ![Beginning every performance with a prayer. Here I am, lighting the lamp before my student's recital, seeking blessings from the divine for a successful performance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/32206b34-29da-4798-968a-c9a7c34d7c32) - [Video: A beautiful, divine evening at Ambalam. We recently started chamber concerts, and this Bhajan session filled our space with blissful energy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3ecbfb1d-528d-4bdc-b26b-7200ca68a2a8) - ![Another beautiful costume created by the late Manjunath. His craftsmanship and dedication to his art will always be remembered and missed.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/48f85227-23ba-4984-938c-f0e67c024f9b) - ![A moment of gratitude at the World Dance Day celebrations in Delhi. It is always an honor to be among fellow artists and rasikas.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/54e12d55-1dcc-47fe-90fc-d979fe72ecf7) - ![A vibrant pink and magenta costume, another example of the beautiful work by our late tailor, Manjunath. His art lives on through these performances.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/59ec5636-0463-453c-a323-b19b54049183) - ![With my student Saudamini Rao after her performance. Despite challenges, she gave her best, and I am incredibly proud of her resilience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6078e1b5-baea-4dd3-b779-4c06c7b8fd6b) - ![A candid moment of joy and pride. Watching my students perform and grow as artists is the most fulfilling part of being a teacher.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6a1f46ab-b4c4-49b2-8b3e-3af96c924ee7) - [Video: A reflection on a performance from 23 years ago. The theme was Lord Muruga as Ashtanayikayin Ishta Murugan, and it's heartwarming to see my students adopt similar concepts today.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/738eb013-79a2-48d7-a46d-e7c1fe3ca1c6) - [Video: A day trip to Shivanasamudra with my students and their families. It's important to take time to bond and enjoy nature together.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/79754f6f-5bf3-41e7-a0a8-13b508014ecb) - [Video: My kind of "Hi tea" is a hike with tea! Enjoying the outdoors and rejuvenating with my Ambalam students.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/87f6e343-6bc0-4b28-a0f0-bea63d4352f3) - [Video: Another lovely hike with my students. These outings help us connect with nature and with each other, away from the rigors of the dance studio.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/99635a48-4305-49d2-a2bd-b9622adb2feb) - ![Lighting the lamp is a sacred ritual that marks the beginning of every auspicious event, filling the space with positivity and divine blessings.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9987c54d-8ed2-4d98-bd5a-19a2b759461f) - ![A portrait of me, taken after a student's successful performance. The happiness and pride in these moments are immeasurable.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bf1d662b-7c05-427c-a239-b3305dea29f4) - ![A miracle at our doorstep! A beautiful, large Nataraja statue was brought to us out of the blue by strangers who found our address on Google. The universe works in mysterious ways.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e78bb4b2-6107-4255-a136-b9dddf46395b) - [Video: A glimpse of the vibrant energy and joy that fills our Ambalam space. We are a tapestry of art, memories, and fulfillment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f9bdca1a-7ada-42bb-b898-8a7cec2109e1) ## About Life at Ambalam Ambalam is where we move, learn, and sometimes simply be together. Whether it is a hike in the woods to reset, a quiet lamp-lighting ritual before a student's debut, or grieving a dear friend like our costume tailor Manjunath, this is how we keep the art real. It is a space where the dancer's life extends far beyond the studio floor. At Ambalam, we do not believe in the separation between art and the artist's life. We are a family. When you step into this space, you are not just signing up for choreography; you are joining a community where we treat dance as a sadhana. This includes the rigor of our Adavu drills, the discipline of the practice, and the joy of our shared downtime. Our chamber concerts bring the music closer to the rasikas, creating an intimate connection that a large auditorium often lacks. Our hikes and nature walks serve as vital reminders to ground ourselves and find rhythm in the silence of nature. We take care of our own, from the first step of an Arangetram to the complexities of lighting and stagecraft. We also honor the people who support us, like our late tailor Manjunath, whose artistry lives on through the costumes our students wear. If you are looking for a place that values tradition, accountability, and the personal touch of a Guru, this is your home. ## About Indira Kadambi Namaskaram. I am Indira, and at Ambalam, dance is woven into every part of my life. My husband sings, my children handle the technicals, and my students are my extended family. We live, learn, and grow together. [See all of Indira Kadambi's services](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi) ## More from Indian Classical Arts Training by Indira Kadambi - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/indian-classical-arts-training/featured) - [From Sadhana to Stage: Student Performances](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/indian-classical-arts-training/from-sadhana-to-stage-student-performances) - [Inside the Studio: Our Training Process](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/indian-classical-arts-training/inside-the-studio-our-training-process) - [The Soul of Dance: Live Music & Orchestra](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/indian-classical-arts-training/the-soul-of-dance-live-music-orchestra) - [My Journey in Dance](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/indian-classical-arts-training/my-journey-in-dance) - [Ambalam Foundation: Art for All](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/indian-classical-arts-training/ambalam-foundation-art-for-all) - [Recognition & Reviews](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/indian-classical-arts-training/recognition-reviews) - [Upcoming Performances & Workshops](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/indian-classical-arts-training/upcoming-performances-workshops) ## More services by Indira Kadambi - [Bharatanatyam Performance & Choreography](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography) ## Similar work from other experts - [Our 'NK Family': Beyond the Dance Floor](https://mytribe.in/nrithyadeepa/bharatanatyam-dance-classes/our-nk-family-beyond-the-dance-floor) by Nrithyakuteera · Bharatanatyam Dance Classes · Classes held at studios in Chamrajpet and JP Nagar - [Our Art Family: Building Connection Through Classical Dance](https://mytribe.in/natesha-nrithyalaya/bharatanatyam-carnatic-music-classes/our-art-family-kalakutumba) by Natesha Nrithyalaya · Bharatanatyam & Carnatic Music Classes · Classes at studio in Kalkere - [Behind the Scenes: Fun, Friendship & Dance at Nritya Gurukul](https://mytribe.in/akshatha.pai23/bharatanatyam-classes/behind-the-scenes-fun-community) by Nritya Gurukul · Bharatanatyam Classes · Online classes & studio sessions in Sector 82, Noida; accessible across Delhi NCR - [Samarpana Academy: Community & Festive Dance Events](https://mytribe.in/preetha_dance/arangetram-training/samarpana-academy-events-community) by Preetha Arun · Arangetram Training · Studio in Whitefield, travels across Bengaluru & available online - [Bharatanatyam Classes and Community Learning](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/dance-studio-rental/a-hub-for-learning-community) by Sushmitha Suresh · Dance Studio Rental · Rent studios in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru & Kodambakkam, Chennai - [Bharatanatyam Performances and Classical Training](https://mytribe.in/divthedancer/bharatanatyam-classes-workshops/featured) by Divya Hoskere · Bharatanatyam Classes & Workshops · Classes at Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru ## Book To book Indira Kadambi, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Namaskaram%20Indira%2C%20I%20saw%20the%20Life%20at%20Ambalam%20gallery%20and%20would%20love%20to%20know%20more%20about%20the%20classes%20and%20the%20community.)