Sudharani Raghupathy

Sudharani Raghupathy is a famous classical dancer. She graduated in Philosophy and Sociology from the University of Mysore. She learned Bharatanatyam from KP Kittappa Pillai, US Krishna Rao, and Mylapore Gowri Ammal. Apart from this, she took lessons in Carnatic music from T Chowdiah and Vaggeyakara, Vidwan Madurai N Krishnan. She was the first Indian to study at Randolph Macon's Women's College Virginia, USA in 1964-65. Sudharani was sponsored as an international student where she majored in World History of Dance, Studio Arts, and Martha Graham Techniques in Modern Dance.

After this, she learned western music from Elaine St Vincent. This is a living legend. She is one of the rare Bharatnatyam dancers from India who has performed for dignitaries visiting India since 1956, including Bulganin and Khrushchev, the Shah of Iran, the Emperor of Ethiopia, and the King of Afghanistan. She participated in many national and international seminars and several cultural committees. She was the Vice President of the Center for Cultural Resources and Training from 1998 to 2002.

She also received the honor of Senior Teaching Associate of Indian Studies from Colgate University, New York Click to look into! >> Read More... . She won the Padma Shri in 1988 and the Kendriya Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1984. Apart from this, she won many other awards including Kalaimamani (1981 - Tamil Nadu state award), Sapthagiri Sangeetha Vidwanmani (1996 - Andhra Pradesh), Kalashree (1999 - Karnataka), Telugu Academy award, and many more. She received the Natya Kala Sikmani title conferred by the Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai, and the Natya Kala Sarathi title conferred by Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha, Chennai in January 2001 and 2002.

She was the first recipient of this title. Apart from this, she was honored with the Sri Lalitha Kala Ratna Award given by the Sri Lalitha Kala Academy, Mysore. This award was given to him by His Holiness Swamiji of Pejavar Math, Udipi. She is the author of a book named Laghu Bharatam. Apart from this, she is the Founder and Trustee of Sree Bharatalaya. She is a member of The Society Society is an American teen drama filled with myst >> Read More... of National Council for Science Museums (NCSM).