Uma Sathyanarayanan

🪔 About

Uma Sathyanarayanan, also known as Uma Nambudripad Sathyanarayanan, is an acclaimed Indian classical dancer, Carnatic vocalist, and choreographer, primarily recognized for her Bharatanatyam performances. Born in Pattambi, Palakkad district, she began her dance training at the age of six in Nagpur under Smt. Sreemathy, a disciple of Smt. Lalitha Srinivasan. To further her artistic journey, she and her parents relocated to Chennai. She is a senior disciple of the legendary Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer Guru Smt. Chitra Visweswaran, under whose tutelage she continues to train at the Chidambaram Academy of Performing Arts. Uma also received training in Kuchipudi from Sri Jayarama Rao and Smt. Vanashree Rao of Delhi. Her musical foundation includes Carnatic vocal training from Smt. Rajeswari Neelakanthan in Nagpur and later from the late Kalaimamani Pandit Sri. R Visweswaran at the Chidambaram Academy of Performing Arts, where she received advanced training in Carnatic Music, Voice Culture, and specialized dance music. Following Sri Visweswaran's demise, she continues her Carnatic music studies under Sri A S Murali. Uma Sathyanarayanan is also proficient in cognate art forms such as nattuvangam, dance music, theory, and stagecraft. As a noted soloist, she has performed extensively in leading sabhas across Chennai, including a significant performance at The Madras Music Academy in January 2012, and at major festivals throughout India. Her international performances have taken her to countries including the UK, USA, Sri Lanka, Singapore, France, UAE, and Australia. She is known for her ability to integrate her deep knowledge of music into her dance performances and for her choreographic works, such as "Sakhyam," "Santhawani," and "Pillai Thamizh." As a teacher, she engages audiences through interactive lec-dems, particularly with younger students, emphasizing the holistic and therapeutic aspects of art. Awards & Honours: Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for Bharatanatyam (2012), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Bharatanatyam (2019), Yuva Kala Bharathi, Dharmaravappu Seetharama Anjaneyulu Endowment Prize, Smt. Vasanthalakshmi and Sri. Narasimhachari Award, Nrithya Sundaram, Vedantham Sathyanarayanan Sharma Award, Nadanamamani, Sri Yagnaraman Award of excellence, The Best Upcoming Dancer award.