YUVA 2026 Artists

At 15, Amatra Jagannathan is already forging a distinctive path across Indian and Western classical music. She began her Carnatic violin training at age eight under renowned violin maestro and Grammy Award winner Ganesh Rajagopalan of the Ganesh–Kumaresh duo, and performed her violin arangetram at just 12.

A versatile musician, Amatra also studies Carnatic vocal music and Western classical violin, performing with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra and Evergreen Philharmonic Orchestra. She has performed extensively as a soloist and accompanist across the Pacific Northwest and India, collaborating with dancers, percussionists, and large-scale productions.

Her accomplishments reflect both her musicianship and her spirit of innovation. Amatra is the co-founder and lead violinist of Dhwayam, a Carnatic fusion ensemble, and made history as the only Carnatic violinist to win the Evergreen Philharmonic Concerto Competition. She was also one of nine violinists featured in Thribinna – The Indian Symphony Project, an original album by Ganesh Rajagopalan launched by A. R. Rahman.

Beyond the stage, Amatra is a passionate arts advocate, serving as a youth representative on the Sammamish Arts Commission and receiving recognition including the Youth Cultural Ambassador Award and a Humanities Washington Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program grant.

A seventh-grade Bharatanatyam artist and disciple of Smt. Pooja Kumar Shyam, Ananya has performed across the USA and India, including on the prestigious Chennai Margazhi stage.

With accolades such as Bala Prathiba and Yuva Prathiba, and additional training in Carnatic music and Nattuvangam, Ananya represents the dedication, curiosity, and promise at the heart of the YUVA 2026 cohort.

A dedicated Kuchipudi artist, teacher, and choreographer, Anika Yechuri began her training at the age of four under her mother and guru, Smt. Sushma Yechuri, founder of Kalamandapam Kuchipudi Dance School.

Anika has performed in Kuchipudi ballets across the United States and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Kuchipudi at the University of Silicon Andhra. In 2024, she served as Captain of UW Natya, leading the team to a second-place national ranking.

Beyond performance, Anika is passionate about teaching and currently trains Rangapravesam students. Through her choreography, she strives to create pieces that connect with audiences on an emotional level, bringing together technical discipline and expressive storytelling.

A passionate Kathak performer, educator, and choreographer, Bhargavi Sardesai has trained for over 16 years under the esteemed guidance of Guru Pandita Shama Bhate. She holds an M.A. in Kathak with distinction from Lalit Kala Kendra, Savitribai Phule Pune University, and an MFA in Dance from California State University, Long Beach.

Bhargavi has performed across India and internationally, including at the Beethoven Festival and Deutsche Welle World Conference in Bonn, Germany, where she collaborated with renowned artists Pt. Rakesh Chaurasia and Bernhard Schimpelsberger.

As a choreographer, Bhargavi brings together the rich traditions of Kathak and contemporary movement, creating thoughtful interpretations of Indian stories and narratives. Through performance, choreography, and teaching, she explores how Indian classical dance can connect with contemporary audiences, particularly within diasporic communities.

A trained Kuchipudi dancer, teacher, and choreographer, Kavya Mathukumalli was introduced to Indian classical dance at the age of seven. She began her training under Guru Harirama Murthy, a senior disciple of Guru Vempati Chinna Sathyam, and has since performed at prestigious festivals and venues across India and the USA, including Khajuraho, Visakha Utsav, Tirupati Devasthanam, Mysore Maharaja Palace Festival, and Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Recognized as a graded artist by Doordarshan and recipient of the title “Naatya Ravali,” Kavya has also represented Indian classical dance internationally, including a performance tour in Malaysia sponsored by the South Zone Cultural Centre. Her choreography has been featured at festivals including Barnstorm Dance Fest, See Chicago Dance, AIMED Fest, Small Plates Choreography Festival, and Mind the Gap.

Kavya continues to deepen her Kuchipudi training under Guru Sailaja Sudha while also pursuing Bharatanatyam training under Dr. Lavanya Rajagopalan. Through teaching, performance, and choreography, she remains committed to sharing and evolving the rich traditions of Indian classical dance.

A Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a working scientist, Kavya brings the same dedication and curiosity to her artistic practice, balancing an accomplished scientific career with her passion for dance.

A Bangladeshi American multidisciplinary dancer and choreographer, Naosheen brings together a diverse artistic practice rooted in Indian classical and Bangladeshi dance traditions.

She began her dance training as a young adult in New York City and, after relocating to Seattle, founded and led Torongo, a dance team dedicated to showcasing Bangladeshi folk and semi-classical forms.

Under the guidance of Guru Sanjib Bhattacharya, Naosheen has continued her training in Manipuri and has performed across the United States, including presenting Nashville’s first-ever Manipuri showcase. Her journey across Kathak, Manipuri, and Odissi reflects a deep curiosity for exploring diverse movement traditions and their stories.

A dedicated musician and advocate for Indian classical arts, Prajwal Bhaskar began learning Tabla and vocal music at the age of six and has since performed in 50+ classical concerts across India and the USA.

As Convenor of the SPICMACAY Mangalore chapter, Prajwal led teams in organizing performances by renowned artists and competitions for over 400 school students. A graduate of Georgia Tech, he now works as a Robotics Engineer in Houston, teaches vocal music, and leads Classical Yuva—a youth initiative connecting young artists and enthusiasts with the world of Indian classical arts.

Through music, mentorship, and community-building, Prajwal continues to inspire the next generation to discover, learn, and engage with India’s rich classical traditions.

A U.S.-based Bharatanatyam artist, choreographer, and educator, Siri Chandrashekar is a disciple of Guru Sri P. Praveen Kumar of Bangalore. Her work has been presented internationally, earning recognition and awards for her artistic contributions.

Siri’s creative practice explores the intersection of classical tradition and contemporary expression. Her production Ritu Bhaava reflects on the emotional essence of the seasons and their parallels with human experience. She also co-founded Kalavrushti in 2022, a collaborative initiative that brings dancers and musicians together to develop new performance projects.

Alongside Bharatanatyam, Siri continues to expand her artistic vocabulary through Konnakkol training under Vidwan Somashekar Jois and previous Kathak training with Guru Smt. Nirupama and Sri T. D. Rajendra.