LEADERSHIP
GURU MAA CHINMAYI
Maa Chinmayi (Rathi Ramesh Sarma) is a visionary musician, spiritual guide, and arts educator who founded URise India Foundation in 1998. Her passion for classical arts has driven her to create new platforms for musicians and dancers, aiming to make classical art more accessible to younger and diverse audiences. One of her notable initiatives is the ‘Naada Surabhi’ educational program, designed to offer an alternative and enriching approach to learning fine arts.
A highly skilled musician in both Carnatic and Hindustani traditions, Maa Chinmayi holds a Master’s degree in Music from Jain University, a law degree, and is a certified life skills coach. She has dedicated her life to using music and dance as transformative tools for personal growth, spiritual enlightenment, and leadership development.
Maa Chinmayi has composed and sung music for a wide range of albums, including the meditation albums Pearls of Ecstasy and URise and Joy, as well as Swararpan, Guruarpan, and the Bharatanatyam album Nrityarpan. Her music composition for Saptaratnavali, a production based on select verses from the Bhagavad Gita, reflects her commitment to integrating spiritual wisdom with artistic expression.
As an active member of the Heartfulness mission, Maa Chinmayi works with the Gitopadesh team to spread the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita globally. Her mission to promote world peace through the arts continues to inspire and impact audiences worldwide, making her a leading figure in both the spiritual and artistic communities.
Under her leadership, URise India Foundation has created a space where fine arts, personal development, and leadership skills converge, empowering students to not only excel in their artistic pursuits but also become compassionate, responsible global citizens.
ANJANA RAMESH SARMA
Anjana Ramesh Sarma is an exceptional Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, teacher and organiser, whose dedication to the classical arts has earned her a distinguished place in the global dance community. She is undergoing advanced training under Smt. Kirti Ramgopal in Bharatanatyam and Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam in the Natyashastra and Karanas, blending tradition with innovation. Anjana holds an MA in Dance from SASTRA University, an MA in Philosophy from Annamalai University, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Bangalore University.
As a performer, Anjana has captivated audiences on coveted stages in India, US, Turkey, Australia, UAE and Malaysia. She is a recipient of numerous awards such as ‘Nritya Mani’, ‘Natya Bharati’, and ‘Yuva Gandharva Puraskar’, to name a few. Rank holder of the Vidwat grade examinations and a graded artist of the Doordarshan Kendra, Anjana has also been a recipient of the state and central government scholarships for Bharatanatyam.
Beyond her performances, Anjana is a passionate and dedicated teacher, known for her ability to inspire and mentor the next generation of dancers. She has guided many students to successful arangetrams, including a Chinese national, a remarkable achievement that speaks to her global impact.
In addition to her expertise in dance, Anjana is a certified yoga exponent from the Sivananda School of Yoga. Her PhD thesis explores the intersection of Natya and Yoga, reflecting her belief in a holistic approach to training.
Always looking at ways to give back to the community, a true innovator, Anjana has created several platforms that empower artists and promote the arts globally. Initiatives such as ‘Tarang’, the ‘Online Jugalbandhi Series’, and the ‘Bharatanatyam Practice Calendar’ on YouTube, as well as the ‘Bharatanatyam Performers’ Question Bank Series’ on Instagram, have fostered a sense of community and self-confidence among dancers. These projects highlight Anjana’s forward-thinking approach to make Bharatanatyam more accessible and relatable to contemporary audiences while preserving its rich heritage.
As the Director of URise India Foundation, Anjana is the driving force behind all organizational activities, from overseeing a 55-member team to coordinating large-scale events. As the torchbearer of the foundation after her mother, Maa Chinmayi, Anjana continues to lead with vision and commitment, ensuring that URise India Foundation remains at the forefront of promoting classical arts and nurturing future generations of artists.