Sudha Chandrasekher
Bharatanatyam Performer • Teacher
59+
Years of Experience
5+
Students Taught
1
Followers
❖ Guru Parampara ❖
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Sudha Chandrasekher, also known as Sudha Chandra Sekhar and formerly Sudha Doraiswamy, is a highly renowned figure in Indian classical dance, particularly Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. Her extensive career spans over six decades as a performer, teacher, guru, choreographer, and institution head. She began her classical dance training in Manipuri and Kathak…
Journey Timeline
1943
Began classical dance training — Started Manipuri and Kathak at Rupatayan Institute in Bombay, India.
1945
Began Bharatanatyam studies — Under gurus at Sri Rajarajeshwari Bharata Natya Kalamandir.
1956
Bharata Natya Arangetram — Held at Mumbai's Mahalakshmi temple.
1958
Performance for Prime Minister Nehru — Performed in Rashtrapathi Bhavan, New Delhi.
1958
First Prize at Youth Festival — Awarded in New Delhi.
1958
Government of India Scholarship — For Advanced Training in Bharata Natyam (1958-1960).
1960
Best Dancer of the Year Award — Received at St. Xavier's College, Bombay.
1960s
Revival of Kavuthvams — Researched and revived ancient Navasandhi Kavuthvams.
1967
Moved to Canada — Relocated to Windsor, Canada, after marriage.
1967
Artistic Director of Hindu Temple Rhythms — Began leading the cultural organization.
1977
Moved to USA — Relocated to Oak Park, Michigan, USA.
1980
Odissi and Kathakali training — Undertook intensive courses in Odissi (1980-81) and Kathakali.
1981
First Arangetram in USA — Presented her first student, Reeta Shama, in Arangetram.
1996
World Record for Dance Marathon — Broke record with daughter Vidya in "72 Hours for the Heart" dance marathon.
2000
60th Birthday / Natya Shastryabdhapoorthy — Celebrated 60 years of dancing.
2004
Michigan Dance Council's Lifetime Achievement Award — Received the award.
2004
50th Arangetram — Conducted her 50th Arangetram performance.
2007
Commissioner for Oak Park Arts and Cultural Diversity Commission — Appointed to the commission.
2010
Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana's 'Nritya Seva Mani Award' — Received the award.
2018
60th Anniversary of Nritya Sudha's Hindu Temple Rhythms — Her dance organization celebrated its anniversary.
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
- 1958 · First Prize — Youth Festival in New Delhi
- 1958 · Government of India Scholarship for Advanced Training in Bharata Natyam — Government of India
- 1960 · Best Dancer of the Year Award — St. Xavier's College, Bombay
- Natya Veda Bharati — Community recognition
- 2004 · Michigan Dance Council's Lifetime Achievement Award — Michigan Dance Council
- 2010 · Nritya Seva Mani Award — Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana
- 2019 · Natya Kala Sarovar — Great Lakes Aradhana Committee of Michigan
- 2019 · Lifetime Achievement Award — Guru Vandana Academy at the GeeVA Heritage Foundation Festival, USA
- 2019 · Guru T.K. Mahalingam Pillai Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2021 · Natyakala Shikharojwala — Rangaramanuja Veekayes Productivity & Cultural Council
- 2024 · Nritya Jeevan Puraskar — House of Kala, Seattle, Washington, USA
- 2025 · Kala Shikharojwala — Ranga Ramanuja Veekayes Productivity & Cultural Council, Chennai, India
Media Coverage
- Born to Dance with Sudha Chandra Sekhar Part 1
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