Resident Artists
Nearly 40 active musicians and dancers rehearse, collaborate, and develop original productions together.
About Nootana
Tradition is our foundation.
Creation is how it moves forward.
An ensemble built through collaboration
Nootana creates original performances that bring Indian classical music and dance into conversation with new stories, perspectives, and communities.
Founded in 2012, Nootana is a 100% volunteer-run Indian classical music and dance ensemble based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Our resident artists are trained in a range of Indian classical forms. Musicians and dancers work together from the beginning of the creative process, developing new compositions, choreography, and narrative ideas as one ensemble.
The name Nootana comes from a Sanskrit word for “new” or “innovative.” That spirit guides our work: honoring the depth of classical practice while creating space for experimentation, collaboration, and connection.
Our community
More than a performance group
Extended Ensemble
More than 85 artists, alumni, volunteers, and collaborators have contributed to Nootana’s work.
Volunteer-Led
Artists and community members contribute their time and talents to sustain every part of the organization.
October 10, 2026
Afterglow performers
These artists are appearing in Afterglow: Stories That Linger. Nootana’s full season includes additional resident and guest artists.
Rishi Das
Founder and Director
Hindustani Vocals, Nattuvangam, Harmonium
Manasi Moni-Trichur
Carnatic Vocals, Beatbox
Anna Datta
Kuchipudi, Kathak
Vishal Desai
Carnatic Vocals, Veena
Aditi Goel
Kathak
Arnav Gadre
Tabla
Kruttika Gopal
Carnatic Vocals
Madhava Paliyam
Mridangam, Tabla
Vandana Sathiya
Bharatanatyam
Uma Mohan
Bharatanatyam
Pooja Sripad
Kathak, Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Carnatic Vocals
Sukanya Mukherjee
Contemporary/Modern, Rabindranritya
Vinithra Sudhakar
Carnatic Violin
The people behind the work
Leadership and creative team
Rishi Das
Founder and Director
Hindustani Vocals, Nattuvangam, Harmonium
Deepak Shenoy
Board Member
Navhaat
Diana Cirone
Board Member
Anitha Deshamudre
Set Design and Lighting; Bharatanatyam
Dhvani Doshi
Lighting; Bharatanatyam
Uma Mohan
Costume Coordination and Preparation; Bharatanatyam
Nayan Uttarkar
Photography; Nayan Photography
Sameer Ali
Photography and Videography; Alluminate Studios
Devika Datta
Creative & Language Consultant
2024
Nootana at the White House
Nootana artists were invited to perform as guest musicians for the White House Diwali celebration.
Our artists shared Indian classical and traditional music as part of this nationally recognized cultural event.
Recognition
Working for our community
In 2018, NBC4 honored Nootana and Founder and Director Rishi Das with its Working 4 the Community Award.
The award recognized their contributions to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in the Washington, DC area.
Preronadayini
The “Inspiration-Giver” Award
Nootana honors people who create space for others, expand access, and inspire creativity across communities.
The annual Preronadayini Award recognizes artists, educators, curators, leaders, and advocates whose work uplifts the arts in meaningful and boundary-breaking ways.
Past honorees include Manjula Kumar, Brooke Kidd, Nistha Raj Wright, Shruthi Mukund, Neha Misra, Lakshmi Swaminathan, and Alif Laila.