Céline Pradeu-Kanagasabai

🪔 About

Céline Pradeu-Kanagasabai, also known as Céline Pradeu, is a French dancer, choreographer, pedagogue, and performer of French and Sri Lankan Tamil descent, born in Bayonne, France. She began her dance journey at the age of five with classical ballet, training at the National Conservatory of the Nantes Region. She then pursued contemporary dance at the Music and Dance Superior National Conservatory (CNSMDP) in Paris, graduating with distinction in 1996. In 2000, she obtained her Teaching State Diploma in Contemporary Dancing. Driven by a desire to explore her paternal Sri Lankan Tamil roots, Pradeu-Kanagasabai began training in Bharatanatyam at the age of 20 under the tutelage of Nirupama Nityanandan (from Kalakshetra Foundation) and Shobana Balachandra, studying in both France and India. She also delved into Kathakali with Haridasan Kalamandalam. Her diverse training also includes flamenco and Persian dance. Since 1998, she has been actively involved in professional dance projects. Pradeu-Kanagasabai is recognized for developing a unique fusion style she terms 'Bharatemporary,' which integrates Bharatanatyam, contemporary dance, and elements of Western classical dance. In 2009, she became the artistic manager of her own company, "Compagnie Céline Pradeu," also known as "Les Hybrides Dansants." This company aims to foster interaction between French and Indian cultures and various artistic disciplines. Her choreographic works include "CPK-30 ans" (2009), "Des Corps Accordés" (2010-2021), "Ô bal Bébé Ballon" (2017), and the triptych "Hybride." She also collaborated on "Ballet dans un mouchoir de poche." She has been teaching dance to a wide range of audiences, from children to professionals, in France and internationally since 2000.