Neela Bhaskar

🪔 About

Neela Bhaskar is a dedicated practitioner, performer, and researcher of Bharatanatyam, deeply rooted in the Balasaraswati bani. She commenced her Bharatanatyam training at the age of five and Carnatic music at six. Her primary guru was Shyamala Mohanraj, with whom she studied from the age of seven until Mohanraj's passing in 2015. During this period, Neela immersed herself in the Balasaraswati repertoire and was also trained in the art of teaching dance. Recognizing the essential role of music in Bharatanatyam choreography, Shyamala Mohanraj encouraged Neela to pursue musical education, which she continues with T. R. Moorthy, a disciple of T. Vishwanathan, Balasaraswati's brother. Academically, Neela Bhaskar earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Madras Christian College, Chennai, between 2012 and 2015. She later moved to Germany, where she completed her Master's degree at Hamburg University. Her Master's thesis was titled “Mātavi's Dance - A translation of Aṭiyārkkunallār's Commentary on Araṅkēṟṟu Kātai (Cilappatikāram 1:3)”. As of October 2023, she has successfully defended her PhD in Tamil poetry, with her doctoral research focusing on Tamil poetry and analyzing manuscripts from the Mackenzie Collection. Currently based in Germany, Neela Bhaskar reflects on her experience in the country, noting how her study of Tamil poetry has profoundly enhanced her understanding of dance. She actively performs, demonstrating both the Nritta (pure dance) and Abhinaya (expressive dance) aspects inherited from her guru, and works to articulate the nuances of her dance style, particularly the T. Baliswati style, to international audiences. For her academic achievements, Neela Bhaskar received the Chandran S. Devanesan Award for Academic Excellence from Madras Christian College. She maintains an active online presence through Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, sharing her artistic and research endeavors. Awards & Honours: Chandran S. Devanesan Award for Academic Excellence.