Sheela Chandrasekhar

🪔 About

Sheela Chandrashekar is a highly accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher, and choreographer, renowned for her extensive contributions to Indian classical dance. Born in Mysore, she began her initial training at the age of six under Smt. Krishnaveni of Mysore, learning the Mysore Style. She later moved to Bangalore at the age of nine and continued her foundational training under Guru Late Sri V.S. Koushik of Sanatana Kalakshetra. Her advanced training in Bharatanatyam was primarily under Guru B. Bhanumathi, with whom she has been associated for over 35 years. Chandrashekar has also enriched her artistry through workshops with stalwarts such as Padmabhushan Kalanidhi Narayanan and Srimathi Bragha Bessel for Abhinaya, Smt. Kamala Rani, and Sri N. Narayanaswamy for Nattuvangam. Academically, Sheela Chandrashekar holds a Master's degree in Bharatanatyam from Bangalore University, where she secured the first rank and a Gold Medal. She serves as a visiting faculty member in the Department of Dance for the Post Graduation course at Jain University. As a performer, she has graced the stage in over seven hundred solo performances and as a member of 'Bharatanjali,' the group dance feature of Nrithyakalamandiram. She has performed at major national and international dance festivals and for numerous Doordarshan productions. She is also a part of 'Aadya,' a performing troupe formed by three senior disciples of Guru B. Bhanumathi. Her international engagements include tours to the UK and USA for performances, cultural exchange programs, and workshops. Sheela Chandrashekar is the Assistant Director of Nrityakalamandiram and the Director of Bhanumati Nrityakala Mandiram, where she imparts Bharatanatyam training to hundreds of students. She has also served as a judge on Sri Sankara TV's Bharatanatyam reality show “Natyaratna.” Awards & Honours: Singarmani, Gold Medal.