Sushma Mohan

🪔 About

Sushma Mohan is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, nattuvangist, and teacher, primarily known for her expertise in Bharatanatyam. Her initial training in Bharatanatyam was under Guru Prasanna Kasthuri and Ranjani Ganesan, an alumna of Kalakshetra. She further honed her skills with advanced training from the renowned dancer couple Guru Dhananjayans at Bhaskara in Kerala. Mohan's diverse training also includes martial arts such as Manipuri from Sri Khilton Nongmaiten and Kalaripayattu from Sri Anil Kumar, Abhinaya from T K Mahalingam Pillai, and Kathak from Maya Rao. She also received music training from the late Guru Sri Ambhi Bhagavatar and learned Nattuvangam from Guru Pulikeshi Kasthuri, subsequently accompanying notable dancers like Vani Ganapathy and Ranjani Ganesan. As a choreographer, Sushma Mohan has created several significant works, including "Apoorva Sadashiva," "Dashavataara," "Navagraha," "Yathiraaja Vaibhava," "Mira," and "Gajendra Moksha." She has choreographed ballets for institutions such as the ISKCON temple Bangalore and IISc Bangalore, and performed for the TTD Brahmotsavam in 2002. She is the Artistic Director of Soorya Arts Academy, with branches in Cumming, GA, and Los Angeles, CA, and the Founder-Secretary of the Soorya Foundation for Performing Arts. She previously taught at Shanthala Arts Academy Bangalore for over six years, where her students achieved scholarships and awards. Mohan is also recognized as a Carnatic musician and a Yoga teacher. Awards & Honours: National Youth Fest Award, Yuva Pratibha Shodha National award, Dancer-choreographer award for Dance in the District (2022), Award for dance production 'APAH – story of two rivers', Grant for artistic presentation.