Ms Jiva Raj also known as Reena Raj is a dediacted Bharatanatyam and Odissi exponent with over a decade of experience in the field and the openmindness of creating and working with new and unique not limiting to Indian art but everything defined as performing art. She had her initial training under the temple of fine
arts Johor Bahru in Bharatnatyam and was later groomed by Guru Sri Ajit Baskaran Dass in both Bharatnatyam and Odissi. she had her intensive training in Odissi in Bubaneshwar, Orissa under Srujan for the kelucharan style and under Guru Sri Durga Charan Ranbir for the deba prasad style.
She founded her own instuition in the year of 1999, the Nritya Vatika Dance Academy and is now actively engaged in training aspiring students in BHaratnatyam, Odissi, Indian folk dance, Malay contemporary dance and Yoga. Her technique and discipline in Bharatnatyam and Odissi keeps her choreography and students with an unique and outstanding performance anywhere. She displays meticulous attention to ensure authencity yet breathes a refreshing new life to age old classical themes including breathtaking sets , costumes and theatrical effects to her productions.
Her charisma and patience makes her tackle the most difficult child who comes to her academy allowing them to bloom in her garden of dance. Nritya Vatika has staged many impressive repertoire and successful stage productions in johor bahru, kuala lumpur and singapore.she has performed widely around Malaysia, Singapore ,India and Europe.
Apart from these she has also judged many prestigeous dance competitions in Malaysia and Singapore and judged the inter school state level drama competition in Johor Bahru. she is also pursuing her antropology in dance fake louis vuitton bag and psycology in theatre and drama.