Mrs. Vasugi Jegatheeswaran

🪔 About

Mrs. Vasugi Jegatheeswaran is a highly respected and renowned figure in Indian classical dance, specifically Bharatanatyam, based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She is widely recognized as a "colossus in the field of Bharatha Natyam" and a "veteran dance teacher not only in Sri Lanka, but also worldwide," having dedicated her extensive career to the promotion and preservation of this classical art form. Jegatheeswaran commenced her teaching career in 1976, the same year she founded the prestigious Natya Kala Mandhir in Colombo. Under her leadership, Natya Kala Mandhir has grown to become one of the finest and premier Bharatanatyam dance academies in Sri Lanka, offering comprehensive training in classical Bharatanatyam, including classroom and repertoire training, Nattuvangam courses, and programs for adults. The academy has been instrumental in inspiring generations of students to experience Bharatanatyam as more than an art form, bringing timeless stories and cultural heritage to life through performances. Throughout her illustrious career, Mrs. Vasugi Jegatheeswaran has received numerous accolades for her contributions to dance. In 1990, she was conferred the 'Kalasuri' title by the Government of Sri Lanka and also received the 'Nandana Kalai Arasi' award from then-President of Sri Lanka, J.R. Jayewardene. She was awarded a Doctorate in 1994 by Japan Shotaken Karate Moin Datyo and is also a recipient of the Bunka Prize from the Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund (JSCF). More recently, in October 2021, she was honored with the Aacharya Kala Sagara Lifetime Achievement Award by the Griffin Exam Board, a UK's global award ceremony. Her teaching legacy is evident through her many students, including senior artists like Kalaviththagar Shalini Vageeswaran, Kalaviththagar Mirunaaliny S Iyer, Kalaviththagar Hashainy Krishnan, and Kalaviththagar Arthana K Jambunathan, as well as students like SSelvi, Akrithie, and Midoorthi. Natya Kala Mandhir is preparing to celebrate its Golden Jubilee in September 2026 with an event titled "Potsabai 2026," marking fifty years of cultural and traditional excellence in Bharatanatyam. Awards & Honours: Nandana Kalai Arasi (1990), Kalasuri (1990), Doctorate (1994), Bunka Prize, Aacharya Kala Sagara (Lifetime Achievement Award) (2021).