PadmaBhushan Guru Dr Saroja Vaidyanathan
Bharatanatyam(classical) Dancer, Guru, Author and
Choreographer
Saroja from a very tender age of seven years trained under the
accomplished Guru Lalitha of Saraswati Gana Nilayam, is the third
generation(Paramapara) disciple of the famous Guru Kattumannar
Muthukumaram Pillai of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. She has also
undergone training in Carnatic Music under Prof.P.Sambamoorthy at
the Madras University. Saroja is one of the India’s prominent
Bharatanatyam exponents earning her fame as an intelligent and
innovative choreographer.
As a professional dancer- Travelled in India and abroad for
Recitals, Lecdems and workshops.
As an Author- published four art books in dance and music.
Compiled an Encyclopedia on Bharatanatyam for NCERT.
Fellowship from Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India for “Aharya Abhinaya”
Compiled and Produced a DVD, based on the fundamentals and nuances
of Bharatanatyam, an educative and entertaining capsule for an hour, in
2014.
As a Guru Established a fine art institution Ganesa Natyalaya
in 1974 in Delhi with its own premises. Several disciples have
earned scholarships from various depts. Additionally almost
fifteen other Bharatanatyam centers in various names are being
run around the world by her professional disciples. Till date
(July,2017) 270 students have completed their Arangetrams.
As a Choreographer- choreographed scores of enthralling
ballets on mythology and social themes very well appreciated by
the audience and the press. In addition to several choreographies
some notable ones are as follows:
i.Bharatanatyam cultural segment for the Queen's Baton Relay(2009)
ii.Charity shows- for raising funds to the Cancer Society and also for
other charitable institutions.
iii.Cultural segment for XIX Commonwealth Games Opening
Ceremony(2010).
iv.Bharatanatyam segment for 1700 dancers for the Opening ceremony
of World Cultural Festival-WCF (2016) in New Delhi organized by Sri
Sri Ravishankar.
v.Choreographed and Directed a cultural event(classical and Folk) for
the 14 th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas(PBD) in Bengaluru(2017) organized
by Ministry of External Affairs.
vi.Drugs and Aids, an awareness about Aids(2008)
vii.Swachh Bharat(2015)(It shows us how our greed and ignorance has
cost us our Earth. The water are dirty- the trees are fallen).
viii.Namamey Gange(2017), based on River Gange
ix.Yoga and Bharatantyam(2017)(five elements) for International
Yoga Day organized by Sangeet Natak Akademi
Passion for art in general is reflected from the fact that she
built a Kathak School in Bhagalpur in Bihar “Sharadha
Sangeet Sadan”in 1972.
Surrendered the accommodation given to her in Delhi by the
Govt. of India under the eminent artistes category in ASIAD
village in 1996 and moved to the premises of Ganesa
Natyalaya Mezzanine floor so as to devote the maximum time
and propagate this art form.
As a member- esteemed member of several renowned
organizations including Ministry of Culture, ICCR, SKP,
IGNOU and IKSVV (Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya)
Chattisgarh.
Awards-In addition to several prestigious awards the recipient of
Padmashri and Padma Bhushan from Govt. of India, Delhi State
award from S.K.P., Kalimamani from Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Sangeet
Nataka Akademi award from Sangeet Natak Akademi,Kalidas Samman
from Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, D.Litt from IKSVV(Khairagarh)Vayo
Sreshta Samman Award from Govt.of India, Ambassador of Peace by
IIFWP and Kalpana Chawla Excellence Award, Acharya Choodamani
award (Chennai), Lifetime Achievement award(Vishakpatnam)
Mutthirai Pathitha Award(Karur,Tamil Nadu), Annual Award for
Senior Guru from Narada Gana Sabha Trust(Chennai).
As an organizer : 27 hours of Bharatanatyam Marathon relay at
Ganesa Natyalaya from 23 rd Sept.2017 at 10.00 AM to 24 th Sept.
1.30 PM and it was awarded the Record Breaking certificate by the
Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records for the Longest
(27hr 30 mins) Bharatanatyam Dance Marathon Relay.
