C.V. Chandrasekhar

🪔 About

C.V. Chandrasekhar (May 22, 1935 – June 19, 2024) was a towering figure in Indian classical dance, renowned as a Bharatanatyam dancer, academician, dance scholar, composer, and choreographer. Born in Shimla, British India, he began his formal training in Carnatic music in 1945 at Kalakshetra, Chennai, before transitioning to Bharatanatyam. He trained under legendary gurus such as Rukmini Devi Arundale, Karaikkal Saradambal, K.N. Dandaydhapani Pillai, Peria Sarada, Sarada Hoffman, S. Sarada, and Mylapore Gowri Amma. He also received classical music training from eminent musicians including Budulur Krishnamurthy Sastrigal and M.D. Ramanathan. Chandrasekhar earned an M.Sc. in Botany from Banaras Hindu University and a postgraduate diploma in Bharatanatyam. He embarked on his dancing career in 1947, a time when male dancers in Bharatanatyam were rare. He served at Banaras Hindu University as a dance teacher from 1958 to 1979, and later joined M.S. University of Baroda, where he retired in 1992 as the Head and Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts. After his retirement, he settled in Chennai with his wife, Jaya Chandrasekhar, a trained dancer, and together they established their own dance institution, Nrityashree. He performed globally for over six decades, celebrated for his perfect araimandi, angasuddham, subtle abhinaya, and excellent choreography. He composed music for all his productions, including popular jatisvarams, varnams, and tillanas. His major choreographic works include Kalidasa's Ritu Samharam and Meghadutam, Bhoomija, Aparajita, Pancha Maha Bhoota, Aarohanam, Bhramarageet, and Kreeda. Chandrasekhar was known for his uncompromising approach to art, emphasizing grammar, technique, and tradition. Awards & Honours: Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1978), Gujarat Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1982), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Bharatanatyam (1993), Kalaimamani (2003), Sangita Kala Acharya (The Music Academy, Madras) (2006), Kalidas Samman (2008), Padma Bhushan (2011), Nrithya Choodamani (Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, Nadabrahmam (Narada Gana Sabha), Nritya Ratnakara (Bhairavi Fine Arts, Cleveland), Nritya Kala Ratna (Mysore), Bharatha Kala Saagara (Sri Bharatalaya), Nrithyodaya award.