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About
Asha Bala is a distinguished performer, scholar, and instructor of Bharatanatyam, a classical South Indian dance tradition. Born in Mumbai, India, in 1952, she began her Indian dance training at the age of three. She received her foundational training in the Thanjavur School of Bharatanatyam from the illustrious gurus of Sri Raja Rajeshwari Bharata Natya…
Journey Timeline
1952
Born in Mumbai, India
1955
Began Indian dance training — At age 3
1966
Arangetram (debut performance) — At age 14
1969
Received 'Singar Mani' title — From Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai
1988
Began teaching dance — Approximate year based on 'thirty years teaching' as of 2018
1993
Received NRI Excellence award
1999
Received Karnataka Kalashri award — From Sangeet Natak Academy
2000
Received Citizen of the Year award — From the Asian American Association of Arizona
2002
Began teaching in the Triangle and Fayetteville areas, NC
2005
Received Balasaraswati dance award — From Sri Ragam Fine Arts Society, New Delhi
2006
Founded Leela School of Dance — In Cary, North Carolina
2008
Received Natya Saraswati award — From Sri Raja Rajeshwari Kalaniketan, Bengaluru
2011
Received Drishti Nrityakala Puraskara — From Drishti Art Foundation, Bengaluru
2018
Received North Carolina Heritage Award — First South Asian woman to win for Bharatanatyam
2019
Received multiple awards — Austin Tamil Sangam Kalai Magudam Award, Sambhrama Puraskara Award, Agni Foundation Distinguished Artist Hall of Fame honor
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
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Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 1969 · Singar Mani — Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai
- 1993 · NRI Excellence award
- 1999 · Karnataka Kalashri award — Sangeet Natak Academy
- 2000 · Citizen of the Year award — Asian American Association of Arizona
- 2005 · Balasaraswati dance award — Sri Ragam Fine Arts Society, New Delhi
- 2008 · Natya Saraswati award — Sri Raja Rajeshwari Kalaniketan, Bengaluru
- 2011 · Drishti Nrityakala Puraskara — Drishti Art Foundation, Bengaluru
- 2018 · North Carolina Heritage Award — NC Arts Council
- 2019 · Austin Tamil Sangam Kalai Magudam Award — Austin Tamil Sangam
- 2019 · Sambhrama Puraskara Award
- 2019 · Agni Foundation Distinguished Artist Hall of Fame honor — Agni Foundation
Media Coverage
- 50 For 50: Asha Bala
NC Arts Council
- Bringing An Ancient Dance To A Modern Diaspora: Meet Asha Bala
North Carolina Public Radio (WUNC)
- 2018 North Carolina Heritage Awardee Asha Bala
YouTube (NC Arts Council)
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Students
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Testimonials
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