Supriya Desai

🪔 About

Supriya Desai is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and guru, renowned for her contributions to Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. Born in Bengaluru, India, her passion for dance began at a young age, leading her to train under eminent gurus. She received her Bharatanatyam training from Guru Narmada Rao, who was a disciple of Guru Kittappa Pillai, and her Kuchipudi training from Guru B.S. Sunanda Devi, a disciple of Guru Prahlad Sharma and Dr. Nataraj Ramakrishna. Desai also specialized in the Pandanallur and Tanjavur styles of Bharatanatyam. She performed her arangetram in 1978. Desai's illustrious career as a performer began in the 1980s with high-profile performances in India, including the first World Kannada Conference in Mysore, ICCR sponsored events, and the Festival of India in the former Soviet Union. She later moved to the United States, where she became an icon of classical Indian dances in North Carolina. In 1993, she established the Payal Dance Academy in North Carolina, dedicating over three decades to teaching and promoting Indian classical dance. Her academy has nurtured over 400 students, guiding them with expertise and passion. As a choreographer, Desai is celebrated for her technical perfection, visual geometry, and symmetry. Her notable productions include the dance-drama “Mayura Darshana” (1988-89), “Meera” (1995), which toured 15 cities in the US, and “Mahishasura Mardhini” (2002). She has also choreographed works with non-traditional themes like “Rhythm-the heartbeat of dance” and “M&M,” a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. For her significant accomplishments, Desai has received prestigious awards, including the “Karnataka Kalashree” from the Sangeeta Nritya Academy of Karnataka, the “Sathyabhama Teacher Excellence Award – 2016,” and the “Swara Kala Gaurav Puraskar.” In 2024, she was honored with a proclamation from the Mayor of Morrisville, North Carolina, recognizing her contributions to Indian classical dance and cultural education. Awards & Honours: Karnataka Kalashree, Sathyabhama Teacher Excellence Award (2016), Swara Kala Gaurav Puraskar, Proclamation from the Mayor of Morrisville (2024).