Saroja Vaidyanathan

1937

Born in Bellary, Karnataka

1944

Began Bharatanatyam training — At Saraswati Gana Nilayam in Chennai under Guru Lalitha.

1953

First major public performance (arangetram) — At Gokhale Hall in Chennai at the age of 16.

1972

Moved to Delhi — Following her husband's transfer.

1974

Founded Ganesa Natyalaya — A classical dance institution in New Delhi.

1988

Ganesa Natyalaya building constructed — In the Qutab Institutional Area, Delhi.

1991

Received Sahitya Kala Parishad Samman — From the Government of Delhi.

1999

Received Kalaimamani title — Bestowed by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram.

2002

Received Padma Shri — India's fourth-highest civilian honor from the Government of India.

2002

Cultural tour of South East Asia — Accompanying Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit to the ASEAN Summit.

2006

Conferred 'Bharata Kalai Sudar'

2008

Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award — Highest national honor for performing arts in India.

2010

Choreographed cultural segment for XIX Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony

2012

Received Kalidas Samman — From the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

2013

Received Padma Bhushan — India's third-highest civilian honor from the Government of India.

2015

Received Acharya Choodamani Award — In Chennai.

2016

Choreographed Bharatanatyam segment for 1700 dancers — For the opening ceremony of the World Cultural Festival in New Delhi.

2017

Choreographed and Directed cultural event for 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas — In Bengaluru.

2017

Ganesa Natyalaya awarded for Longest Bharatanatyam Dance Marathon Relay — Awarded by Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records for a 27hr 30 mins relay.

2023

Last stage performances — In February for Sangeet Natak Akademi and in April in Chandigarh.