Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Shetty

🪔 About

Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Shetty is a prominent Indian classical dance teacher, choreographer, and performer based in the USA. She is the founder and director of Natraj Dance Academy, established in 1983, which has grown to become one of the largest Indian classical dance institutions in the Chicagoland area. With over 40 years of teaching experience, she has imparted knowledge to several thousand students in various classical Indian dance forms. Her extensive training began at the age of six in Bharatanatyam under P. G. Chellapa of Chennai. She further honed her Bharatanatyam skills through advanced training from the late K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai and his daughter Uma Dandayudhapani Pillai. K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai, a renowned Bharatanatyam exponent, listed Vijayalakshmi Shetty-Ahuja among his notable students. Beyond Bharatanatyam, Mrs. Shetty received training in Kuchipudi from the legendary Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam. She also studied Mohiniyattam under P. G. Chellapa, her initial Bharatanatyam guru. At Natraj Dance Academy, students receive comprehensive training in both the practical and theoretical aspects of Bharatanatyam. After mastering this foundational style, students are introduced to other classical dance forms such as Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, and Odissi. The academy operates from multiple locations in the Chicago suburbs, including Niles, Schaumburg, Prospect Heights, Long Grove, and Grayslake, demonstrating its wide reach and commitment to promoting Indian heritage and culture. Mrs. Shetty has performed internationally and has been recognized with numerous awards for her contributions to Indian classical dance. Her dedication lies in preserving the strict traditions of these ancient art forms while making them accessible to a new generation of dancers.