Jasmine Simhalan

🪔 About

Jasmine Simhalan, born on November 13, 1970, in Chennai, India, is a distinguished Indian martial artist, classical dancer, performer, and choreographer. Her father, Simhalan Madhava Panicker, was a renowned martial artist from Kerala. Simhalan is recognized as a Kalaripayattu gurukkal and an instructor in Silambam. She received training in Indian classical dance forms including Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, and the martial dance Chhau, alongside martial arts such as Kalaripayattu, Silambam fencing, and Marmam. Simhalan is celebrated for her innovative integration of martial arts into classical dance, creating a unique physical theatre style. Her professional career commenced in 1987 when she joined the Indian Chandralekha (dancer) group as a performer and educator, where she remained actively involved until 1993. Subsequently, from 1993 to 2003, she served as a dancer and educational/workshop leader with the Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company. Simhalan has also pursued a career as a soloist and choreographer, collaborating with international choreographers such as Wayne McGregor, Richard Alston, Laurie Booth, Roger Sinha, and Mavin Khoo, and touring extensively across the UK, Europe, and other regions. Her choreographic and performance credits include the award-winning production “Coming of Age” in 2000, and participation in the 2001 Basement Jaxx album and Emergency Exit Arts production RungaRung. Simhalan's work extends to television and film, with appearances in “Check” and the BBC production “Away Game.” Based between the United Kingdom and India, she currently runs awareness programs across South India, promoting good health through Kalaripayattu, yoga, and pilates within educational systems. She also leads the “Jasmine Simhalan Company,” a Bharatanatyam dance school based in London. Awards & Honours: Coming of Age (production award) (2000), Award-winning collaborative work (production award).