Anitha Santhanam

🪔 About

Anitha Santhanam is an Indian performer, director, and teacher primarily known for her work in physical theatre, with a strong foundation in Indian classical dance. She began her training in Bharatanatyam at the age of six, consciously investing in the practice after ninth standard. In 1996, Santhanam moved to Bangalore, where she explored contemporary dance, joining classes and performing with Natya Stem Dance Kampni. During this period, she also trained in Kalaripayattu with Ranjan Mullarat and performed in Kathak guru Maya Rao's dance dramas. Her shift from Bharatanatyam was influenced by a disillusionment with the traditional system and an exposure to new styles of movement. Santhanam transitioned into physical theatre around 2006 after being cast in a solo play titled "Vanaprastham," based on the life of Kunti. This experience led her to pursue formal training in Lecoq pedagogy at the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA) from 2007 to 2010, supported by a Charles Wallace India Trust scholarship, which she received again in 2012. She co-founded the theatre company Guduguduppukkari with Sunanda Raghunathan, which focuses on creating original feminist embodied theatre work. As a director, Santhanam has helmed award-nominated productions such as “BHIMA” and “Un-Tell, Re-Tell No-Tell.” Her acting credits include plays like “Ms. Meena,” “An Arrangement of Shoes,” and “MONKEY AND THE MOBILE.” Her latest solo creation, "WHAT'S THE MATTER?", explores autobiography and humour as a path to healing, drawing influences from Carl Jung's analytical psychology and Lata Mani's work on Tantra. Anitha Santhanam is also an educator, having taught at the Studio for Movement Arts and Therapies, Mallya Aditi International School, and currently teaches at Drama School Mumbai. Awards & Honours: Charles Wallace India Trust scholarship (2007), Charles Wallace India Trust scholarship (2012).