Smt. Sujatha Surendran

🪔 About

Smt. Sujatha Surendran is a highly regarded Bharatanatyam dancer, educator, and choreographer, primarily based in Melbourne, Australia. She is the artistic director of Natya Kala Mandir, a Bharatanatyam dance school dedicated to preserving and promoting Indian classical dance. Her dance journey began under the tutelage of her aunt and Guru Smt. Jaya Mani, and she further honed her skills under the guidance of Gurus MD. Venkatesh and K.N. Dandayuthapani Pillai. Sujatha Surendran holds a degree from Madras University and was conferred the title of “Natya Vishradha” by the Tamilnadu Government in 1985. She has been actively teaching Bharatanatyam in Australia for nearly two decades, having started around 2004. Through her institution, Natya Kala Mandir, she has trained numerous dancers in both India and Australia, with 14 students successfully completing their Arangetrams or graduations under her mentorship. Her commitment to the art form and community has been recognized through several accolades. She is a recipient of the Multicultural Award for Excellence, presented by the Victorian Multicultural Commission in 2015. Additionally, she has received six consecutive grants from the Victorian Multicultural Commission, acknowledging her significant contributions to the community. As a choreographer, she has created many dance ballets. Natya Kala Mandir, under her direction, regularly participates in cultural programs, fostering Indian culture among diverse student backgrounds. Awards & Honours: Natya Vishradha (1985), Multicultural Award for Excellence (2015), Grant from Victorian Multicultural Commission.