By creating a global platform for nurturing performing arts, Swati Athmanthan has done great service to the arts world. Rooted in a rich artistic lineage, she seamlessly blends tradition with innovation to empower artists worldwide and also promotes fitness training for artists.
Swati Athmanathan is a professional Bharatanatyam Dancer, Vocalist, Fitness Trainer, and a passionate Entrepreneur. She is the Co-founder and Co-director of Bandish Arts, an organization she has curated alongside a colleague Shantanu Roy.
Swati says they established this organization with the mission to nurture and promote performing arts by creating meaningful opportunities for a diverse range of artists—dancers, musicians, and performers from across the globe. She proudly says that she is now a full-time entrepreneur dedicated to advancing the performing arts and supporting creative talent worldwide.
Sharing the story of Bandish Arts, Swati Athmanathan explains that just as people have increasingly shifted towards virtual platforms and digitalization, Bandish Arts followed a similar path. She co-founded the organization in 2020 alongside her colleague Shantanu Roy as a lockdown initiative during the Covid-19 restrictions. The name Bandish, which means “locked” or “bound,” was inspired by the lockdown situation. With artists physically separated, they aimed to foster a sense of togetherness among performers from various disciplines, recognizing that performing arts inherently thrive on collaboration and community.
During that time, the Coronavirus pandemic posed a significant challenge to the performing arts, as public gatherings—which are vital for live performances—were completely prohibited. In response, Swati Athmanathan and her team decided to create a virtual platform to provide opportunities for solo artists on a global scale. Initially, Bandish Arts featured classical Indian dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, and all eight classical dance styles, while also including folk artists. Beyond dance, the platform expanded to include yoga sessions, painting showcases, and a variety of other artistic episodes. They also hosted motivational talks with renowned and established artists to inspire and educate their audience.
These sessions aimed not only to enhance knowledge but also to raise awareness about the richness of performing arts. As a result, their social media presence on Facebook and Instagram grew rapidly, reaching a milestone of 100 episodes within just three months—from June to August 2020.
Later, with support from NGOs and state, semi-government and central government bodies through sponsorships, Bandish Arts realized the importance of gradually shifting towards offline platforms. To facilitate this transition, they organized events in Kolkata, followed by Delhi and Chennai, with plans underway for Bangalore and Varanasi. Swati describes Bandish Arts as being like a drone camera—unlike traditional organizations that are rooted in a single city and invite artists to perform there, Bandish Arts proactively travels far and wide, reaching out directly to artists around the world. This unique approach allows them to provide a platform to performers without waiting for artists to come to them.
Professional Bharatanatyam Dancer Swati Athmanathan describes Bandish Arts as a comprehensive platform that hosts a wide range of performing arts performances. In addition to showcasing talent, they also organize workshops to foster learning and growth. The organization curates advanced training programs led by well-known and prominent gurus, typically spanning 3 to 4 days. These programs are designed for aspiring students and devoted followers of the gurus, providing them with an opportunity to learn, interact, and spend valuable time with their mentors. Building on this foundation, Swati is continuously planning to curate shows and events across India to further promote and celebrate performing arts.
Vocalist Swati Athmanathan believes that simply being on a recognized platform brings its own form of acknowledgment. She has received many rewards, not always in the form of formal awards, but through the happiness and appreciation expressed by people. She often gets invited to share her story, which in itself serves as inspiration for other artists to put in more effort and work harder. Because of this, she finds it difficult to single out one or two specific awards or recognitions. For her, every instance of her work being valued and appreciated is a significant milestone and achievement. She emphasizes that she cherishes every milestone and views each step forward as an important accomplishment.
She says that when she looks back, she feels immense gratitude and thanks life for giving her more than she ever expected. Managing three demanding fields—dance, fitness training, and music—while smoothly running Bandish Arts is, in itself, a significant milestone. She believes that being able to pursue what she loves across these areas is her biggest achievement. Swati acknowledges that not many people get the opportunity to work in a field they are passionate about or find true happiness in their profession. It’s not that others aren’t doing good work, but not everyone has the luxury to live their dream.
Performing Artist Swati Athmanathan says that she is predominantly a Bharatanatyam dancer who began her career in Varanasi, training under the esteemed gurus at Banaras Hindu University’s Performing Arts Department. Later, she had the privilege of learning under the late Padmabhushan Professor C.V. Chandrashekhar and Jaya Chandrashekhar, both highly respected and widely recognized figures in the performing arts community. She feels deeply blessed to have been guided by such eminent gurus. Swati trained under Professor Chandrashekhar’s tutelage for nearly a decade until his death.
Atmanathan highlights that when she was starting out, she was very young and initially focused solely on dance. However, over time, she began to explore and learn the nuances of music that accompanies dance, which sparked her growing interest in music itself. Fortunately, while in Varanasi, she had the opportunity to learn both Carnatic Music and Hindustani Vocal Music simultaneously, deepening her musical knowledge alongside her dance training.
Later, when she moved to Chennai, she continued training under esteemed gurus, which made her realize that she could pursue both dance and music simultaneously. Soon after, she began receiving opportunities to perform in concerts, not only as a solo dancer but also in projects where she sang for dance performances. This growing confidence affirmed her belief that if she could manage both art forms, she should wholeheartedly pursue them.
Gradually, as she aimed to excel further in dance and realized the increased time and effort required for preparation, she recognized the need to enhance her physical fitness and endurance for stage performances. This led her to begin practicing yoga at the age of 15 or 16. Initially, she practiced on her own but later joined a formal institute to deepen her training and discipline.
Currently, driven by her own interest, she has been studying Fitness Science and Nutrition for the past two and a half years and is now a Certified Fitness Trainer. She explains that her curiosity across diverse fields arose naturally out of necessity, which led her to become more innovative in her approach to life. Swati reflects that everything unfolded with a specific purpose, guiding her to pursue each new path as it became relevant.
She highlights that sometimes life feels like being surrounded by fog, but as one gradually moves forward, the fog clears and everything becomes clearer. With a touch of humor, she mentions that while people make plans, it is ultimately the “one sitting above”, it is the God who blends everything together in the perfect mix. She believes that over-planning isn’t always necessary in life. Swati shares that, over time, her life has evolved, and she now balances three fields- fitness, music, and dance, simultaneously, with a primary focus on dance.
Certified Fitness Trainer Swati Athmanathan shares that everything she has learned from her teachers and gurus across various fields has always been reflected in her performances and stage shows. She emphasizes that Bandish Arts has played a crucial role in her growth, significantly influencing her evolution into a more well-rounded and dynamic personality.
Swati Athmanathan was born and raised in Varanasi, which she describes as the heart and heartbeat of her life. Her home and family are still based in Varanasi. She completed her studies at Banaras Hindu University, where she also began her career in dance and music.
Reflecting on her childhood, Swati shares that there are many cherished memories but highlights one lesser-known fact: her maternal grandfather, Prof. K.V. Krishnan, was a retired Mridangam artist from Banaras Hindu University who inspired her deep passion for the arts and dance. She further notes that her maternal grandfather was the nephew of the renowned national Tamil poet Mahakavi Subramanyam Bharatiar. Their present home stands on the ancestral property, and in honor of Mahakavi Subramanyam Bharatiar, the Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu governments collaboratively built a library in front of their house.
She highlights that her fondest memories are with her maternal grandfather, as both shared a deep connection to theatre and the arts, providing her with a unique and enriching background—not something all dancers are fortunate to have. While many recognize her as the maternal great-granddaughter of Mahakavi Subramanyam Bharatiar, she clarifies that her relation is through his maternal uncle, not directly. She believes that this ancestral connection and the family home have played a significant role in shaping her into the artist she is today.
Role models often shape our values, and for fitness trainer Swati Athmanathan, there have been several important influences in her life. She identifies her maternal grandfather, the late Prof. K.V. Krishnan, as her first role model. Following him, her gurus, the late Prof. C.V. Chandrashekhar and Smt. Jaya Chandrashekhar, have been profound sources of inspiration and guidance for her. Swati emphasizes that for a dancer, gurus are the primary role models, as they are the torchbearers of tradition and wisdom. She believes that true inspiration for dancers should come from their gurus above all others.
When asked about a quote or lines that inspire her, Swati Athmanathan shares that it is the entire body of poetry written by her great-grandfather, Mahakavi Subramanyam Bharatiar, that moves her deeply. She explains that not just a single poem, but all his verses written in Tamil inspire her profoundly. These poems bring her happiness and joy during times of sadness and offer profound lessons on the depths and meanings of life.
Co-Founder of Bandish Arts, Swati Athmanathan, shares that Bandish Arts is truly a platform for everyone. They created this initiative specifically to support artists who were struggling to find opportunities to showcase their talents. She explains that while the online platform allowed them to achieve a lot, they believe an offline platform can offer even greater possibilities for artists everywhere. The selection process is structured and transparent, with candidates submitting their details via email for consideration. Swati also emphasizes their commitment to maintaining high standards and preserving the integrity of the art forms they promote.
Bandish Arts has a variety of projects in the pipeline that will be gradually rolled out. The platform is easily accessible to the public through social media, allowing artists and audiences to connect directly and engage with the organization freely. Swati Athmanathan emphasizes that Bandish Arts is meant for all artists who sincerely believe in their craft, work diligently, and strive to contribute meaningfully to the world of performing arts.
Swati Athmanathan shares her perspective on education in today’s world, highlighting how it differs greatly from the education she received in her time. Through her experience, she realized that true learning happens only when the knowledge gained from education is applied and utilized in real life. She emphasizes that relying solely on theoretical knowledge, without practical implementation, makes achieving meaningful success nearly impossible.
Athmanathan reflects on the profound impact of COVID-19, noting that it brought significant twists to people’s lives, while some experienced positive changes, others faced deterioration. She emphasizes that the generation growing up after the pandemic must step out of their comfort zones, face the world, and embrace life’s hardships. According to her, the deeper the pain and sadness one experiences, the greater the capacity for happiness. This is the reality of life she often shares with dance students, teachers, and parents who approach her for admission and guidance. She stresses that performing arts is a demanding field that requires full commitment and preparation. In this context, if teachers yield too much to parents’ concerns or requests for leniency, it undermines the learning process. Swati encourages new parents to gradually step back, trust their children, and allow them to navigate challenges independently whether it means falling, getting sick, or facing setbacks because through these experiences, children learn, heal, and grow stronger on their own.
She shares that performing arts teaches individuals the value of patience. Training must be approached with dedication because, while today there may be plenty of supporters and caring parents around, once individuals start working and become independent, they cannot bring their personal struggles or emotional challenges into the workplace. Managers and colleagues won’t always understand or accommodate that. She emphasizes the importance of taking control of one’s own life, steering one’s own path without relying emotionally on others. After all, life is temporary, people are here today and may be gone tomorrow and ultimately, each person must navigate their own life.
Lastly, she shares a powerful message for today’s generation, to be as tough and resilient as life demands. Though it may seem like hard work and sweat now, she assures that this effort will one day shine brightly as a radiant glow on their faces.
