Sushmita Arunkumar

🪔 About

Sushmita Arunkumar is a distinguished Bharatanatyam artist, teacher, and choreographer, whose profound connection to the dance form began during her childhood in India. She received meticulous training under the esteemed Guru Padmashri Adyar K. Lakshman, a prominent figure in the history of Bharatanatyam. Arunkumar continues to refine her artistry through ongoing training with acclaimed artists such as Jayanthi Subramaniam and Bragha Bessell. As a devout performer, Sushmita Arunkumar has graced stages extensively across both India and the United States. Her talent for Bharatanatyam is characterized by her ability to transform into the characters she portrays, moving with both acute precision and grace, and effectively conveying stories through dance by evoking her own emotions and those of her audience. In 1996, Arunkumar established the Nrithyanjali School of Dance in Bolingbrook, Illinois, where she serves as its Artistic Director. Under her leadership, Nrithyanjali has grown into a leading center for Bharatanatyam education in the Chicago area, offering high-quality instruction and promoting the art form through performances and demonstrations to diverse audiences. The school has made a significant impact on the Chicago performing arts scene through innovative programs and acclaimed guest artists. Arunkumar has received numerous accolades for her contributions to Bharatanatyam. These include the Award of Excellence in the Arts from the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, presented by Dr. Karan Singh, and an Award of Appreciation for her contributions to Bharatanatyam in Annmayya Tathwa Pracharam during the XVth Annamacharya Aradhana Utsavam by Sri Annamaacharya Project of North America. She has also been honored with the Master Artist award and Individual Artist Support grants from the Illinois Arts Council, and the prestigious Balasaraswati Award from Krishna Gana Sabha, recognized as one of India's highest dance distinctions. Beyond performing and teaching, Sushmita Arunkumar co-authored a chapter on the emergence of Bharatanatyam in the West for the book “Scripting Dance in Contemporary India,” published by Lexington Books in 2016. Awards & Honours: Award of Excellence in the Arts, Award of Appreciation for contribution to Bharatanatyam in Annmayya Tathwa Pracharam, Master Artist award, Individual Artist Support grants, Balasaraswati Award.