Kum. Diya Naidu
&
Kum. Riya Naidu
on Saturday, August 15, 2026
Scroll↓
Natyapadanajali School Of Dance
along with Shri. Bhanu Prasad Vellore & Smt. Sunitha Chalicheemala
cordially invite you and your family to the
Bharatanatyam Arangetram of
Disciple of Guru Smt. Prathiba Mannil
Satuarday, August 15, 2026
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
2:30 PM
Clayton High School Auditorium
1 Mark Twain Cir, Clayton, MO 63105
Indian or Western semi-formal attire is warmly encouraged.
Snacks & refreshments will be available. Dinner reception follows the performance.
Complimentary valet and self-parking are available on-site.
"Your presence is your present." Please, no gifts — if you feel so inclined, no boxed gifts please.
As Diya prepares to graduate as a rising senior in high school, she reflects with gratitude on the experiences that have shaped her into a compassionate leader, dedicated student, and lifelong learner. She believes in leading with empathy, serving others with purpose, and embracing every opportunity to grow. Whether advocating for mental health, volunteering in her community, performing Bharatanatyam, or teaching Taekwondo, she strives to make a positive impact on those around her. Academics have always been a priority, and she has challenged herself through a rigorous course load while balancing numerous extracurricular commitments. Her passion for science, research, and helping others has inspired her to pursue a career in medicine, where she hopes to combine scientific discovery with compassionate patient care. Along the way, she was honored to receive the State Certificate of Recognition from HOSA Missouri for her dedication and achievements in health science education. Leadership and service are central to Diya's life. She served as the 2025 Team Building Committee Chair, fostering collaboration and strengthening relationships among her peers. She is also honored to serve as Vice President of Communications for Francis Howell High School's National Honor Society during the 2026–2027 school year. To promote community service and mental health awareness, she co-founded and serves as Co-President of her school's NAMI on Campus chapter and Francis Howell Key Club, leading service initiatives and encouraging others to serve with compassion. Outside the classroom, Diya has developed discipline and resilience through martial arts, earning the international rank of 3rd-degree black belt. As a Taekwondo instructor, she mentors younger students, helping them build confidence, perseverance, and respect while strengthening her own leadership skills. Dance has been one of the most transformative parts of her life. Since beginning Bharatanatyam at age six under the guidance of Guru Smt. Prathibha Mannil, she has spent twelve years developing discipline, endurance, grace, and perseverance. The countless hours of training have taught her patience, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. She is honored to share this performance as a reflection of years of dedication to this beautiful classical art form. As she prepares for the next chapter, Diya remains committed to using her education, leadership, and service to make a meaningful difference. She hopes to continue advocating for others, advancing medical research, and improving lives, carrying forward the values of compassion, perseverance, and hard work.
As Riya begins her freshman year of high school, she is excited to embrace new opportunities, challenge herself academically, and continue growing as a student, athlete, performer, and leader. She strives to approach everything she does with kindness, compassion, dedication, and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone. Academics have always been a priority for Riya. She has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, earning the 4.0 Academic Excellence Award from 2023–2026. As she begins high school, she is challenging herself with a full Honors course load because she enjoys learning and pushing herself to reach her highest potential. Her excellence in mathematics was recognized with a Mathlete Certificate from the Noetic Learning Math Contest, highlighting her analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills. Beyond the classroom, Riya believes that serving her community is one of the most meaningful ways to make a positive impact. She has received multiple President's Volunteer Service Awards for her dedication to Tae Kwon Do and has also volunteered at cultural celebrations organized by TAS, helping create meaningful experiences while celebrating the richness of her community's traditions. Dance has been one of the most transformative parts of Riya's life. She began training at the age of five and has spent the past ten years continuing to grow and evolve under the guidance of guru, Smt. Prathibha Mannil. Through years of rigorous practice, dance has strengthened her discipline, perseverance, resilience, physical endurance, and self-confidence. Each performance reflects not only her technical growth but also her passion for this beautiful art form and the dedication required to pursue excellence. Athletics have also played an important role in shaping Riya's character. She is passionate about tennis and looks forward to representing her school while continuing to develop her skills. She is also an internationally ranked 3rd-Degree Black Belt, an achievement that reflects years of commitment, discipline, and perseverance. Martial arts has instilled in her the values of respect, self-control, leadership, and determination. Looking ahead, Riya hopes to pursue a career that combines psychology and law, where she can better understand human behavior, advocate for others, and make a meaningful difference in people's lives. As she embarks on this exciting new chapter, she looks forward to excelling academically, deepening her involvement in dance and athletics, serving her community, becoming active in school organizations, and embracing every opportunity for personal growth.
"Dance is not merely movement — it is the body's way of remembering the divine."
Guru Smt. Prathiba Mannil
Founder & Artistic Director, Natyapadhanjali School Of DanceGuru Smt. Prathibha Mannil is a passionate and accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer who began her artistic journey at the age of five. Over the years, she has trained extensively in Bharatanatyam and is also a skilled performer in Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam. She had the privilege of learning under the esteemed parampara of the legendary dancing couple, Padmabhushan Natyacharyas Dhananjayans, receiving rigorous training in various aspects of Bharatanatyam. Her debut performance was at the prestigious Museum Theatre in Chennai, where she portrayed Lord Ayyappa at the age of five Since then, Guru Prathibha Mannil has performed widely across India and internationally, An innovative choreographer, she has created and presented numerous productions, including Pothumarai, Bharathi, World Music, and Shakthi. Her work often blends Bharatanatyam with other art forms such as Indian folk dances, European ballet, and Sri Lankan Kandyan dance. She has also choreographed and performed at prestigious festivals in India and abroad, collaborating with organizations such as KHNA, TANA, and FeTNA. Guru Prathibha Mannil has served as a judge for various dance competitions across North America and India. She is the Artistic Director of Natyapadhanjali School of Dance in St. Louis, Missouri, which she has led for over 23 years. The institution is affiliated with several universities and cultural organizations.She is also the Missouri Coordinator for Griffin College London (International Exam Board, UK). In recognition of her contributions, she received the Excellent Community Service Award on September 22, 2024, from Griffin College London for establishing Natyapadhanjali as the first internationally accredited fine arts school in Missouri. Her dedication to the arts extends into education and outreach, as she regularly conducts lecture-demonstrations on Indian classical dance, particularly Bharatanatyam, at various institutions including the St. Louis Ethical Society, Maryville University, Citi Group, and Asia Pacific Islander cultural awareness programs. Guru Prathibha Mannil was selected as the mentor artist for the 40th Annual Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program by the Missouri Arts Council and the University of Missouri’s Museum of Art & Archaeology. In addition to her artistic accomplishments, she is a licensed Physical Therapist practicing in Missouri. By integrating her professional expertise into her teaching, she has helped her students achieve exceptional flexibility, strength, and endurance, enabling them to perform complex movements with ease. Over the years, she has trained more than 1,000 students.
Bharatanatyam embodies three principles of dance forms – Bhavam (Expressions), Ragam (Melody) and Talam (Rhythm). A classical dance form from the South India and is normally accompanied by classical Carnatic music derived its name after the sage Bharata Muni who is the author of the thesis on dramaturgy – The Natyashastra. The word “Arangetram” holds deep cultural meaning. Derived from ancient Tamil, it emphasizes the significance of the stage. For dancers, it’s a rite of passage indicating maturity and expertise. Arangetram symbolizes dedication to an ancient art form. The ceremony strengthens community ties by celebrating cultural heritage. Arangetram embodies values of respect, dedication, and artistic growth.
Saturday evening — doors open at 2:30 PM for guest arrival,seating and refreshments.
Performance begins promptly at 3:00 PM, followed by reception and dinner.
4820 1 Mark Twain Cir, Clayton, MO 63105 — ample parking available on-site.
Glimpses from rehearsal, practice, and the journey leading to the stage.
Full rehearsal & performance photos will be shared here after the event.
Your presence would mean the world to our family. Kindly confirm by August 05, 2026.
diyariyaarangetram@gmail.com
+1 (503) 729-9663 / (636) 439-8543
Clayton High School Auditorium
1 Mark Twain Cir, Clayton, MO 63105
August 05, 2026
* indicates mandatory fields
Watch Diya & Riya's Arangetram live from wherever you are. The stream opens 15 minutes before the performance begins and remains available for those who couldn't make the trip.
Join the LivestreamLeave a message of love and blessings for Diya & Riya as they take on the stage.
Messages are saved to our guestbook and also shown here for your current visit.