Sudha Chandrashekar

She began studying Bharata Natyam in 1945 under the guidance of such greats as Sri Thiruvadamaradur Kuppiah Pillai, Guru A.T. Govindraj Pillai, Srimati Karunambal, Guru T.K. Mahalingam Pillai and Guru K. Kalyanasundaram, the renowned masters of the Sri Rajarajeshwari Bharata Natya Kalamandir. In her teenage years, Sudha received the Government of India Scholarship for Advanced Training in Bharata Natyam, on the insistence of the late, great pioneers of Bharata Natyam Srimati Rukmini Arundale (founder of Kalakshetra) and E. Krishna Iyer. In the 1960s, Sudha and her dear Guru Kuppiah Pillai researched and revived the rare and ancient Navasandhi Kavuthvams, for which they were bestowed with great praise. Artistic Director of Hindu Temple Rhythms (www.hindutemplerhythms.com) , A cultural and performing arts organization.

Vani Ganapathy
One of the foremost exponents of Bharatha Natyam today, has merited the attention of discerning critics nd art lovers for her chaste rendering of the art.Vani began her studies in dance under Smt. T. A. Rajalakshmi in Calcutta and later under Late Guru Kuppiah Pillai, Late Guru Govindraj Pillai, Guru Mahalingam Pillai and Guru K. Kalyanasundaram under whom she continues to study. Vani has performed extensively in all major festivals and performing centres in India including the Music Academy - Chennai, Sangeet Natak Academy - New Delhi, the National Centre for Performing Arts - Mumbai, The Soorya Festival - Trivandrum, The Nishagandhi Festival - Trivandrum, The Doverlane Music and Dance Festival-Calcutta.

Vani Ganapathy established Sanchari, a premier Bharatha Natyam insititution of Bharatha Natyam in Bangalore. Vani's foreign tours have taken her to all parts of the world including Australia,France, Germany, China,U.K, Japan, Singapore.

Viji Prakash
Internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer and teacher.Viji started her training of Bharatha Natyam at the age of four from Guru Mahalingam Pillai and then had extensive training under Guru Kalyanasundaram.
She has performed extensively in all major festivals and performing centres in
India including the Music Academy - Chennai, Sangeet Natak Academy - New Delhi, and the National Centre for Performing Arts - Mumbai. In 1977, Viji Prakash founded the Shakti School of Bharatha Natyam, a premier insititution of Indian Classical dance in the United States.

Her choreographic works include the Los Angeles Festival's "Mahabharatha", the musicals "Meera" and "Purandaradasa", "Manifestations of Shakti", "Dashavatara", "Dance of the Immortals" at the Dorothy Chandeller Pavilion, "Ramayana" and "Moha Mudgara"(Bhaja Govindam), including a Command performance for the President of India, Shri Venkataraman at The Rastrapathi Bhavan.

Viji's foreign tours have taken her to all parts of the world including Canada, the U.K.,France, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia. In Los Angeles, Viji is the founder - director of the Shakti School of Bharatha Natyam with five centres in the Southland. www.shaktidancecompany.com

Lata Pada
Originally from Bangalore, India, has made Canada her home for thirty three years and is recognised as one of the country's leading performers, teachers and choreographers of Bharathanatyam. Now based in Mississauga, Ontario, Lata is the Founder - Director of Sampradaya Dance Academy, established for the promotion of the performing arts. Lata has trained for 25 years under the eminent master teacher Guru Kalyanasundaram.

Sampradya Dance Creations:
The Sampradaya Dance Creations is Mississuaga based dance company. Founded in 1990 by its Artistic Director Lata Pada, the company is committed to artistic growth and excellence in performance.Through the Academy, Founder/ Director Lata Pada strives to nurture a passion for dance by inspiring excellence, self-confidence and creativity in an emerging generation of dancers. Lata aims to contribute to the arts by creating dancers who embody the diversity and vibrancy of dance in Canada. www.sampradaya-dance.com