Murugashankari

Bharata Natyam Dancer

L. Murugashankari (B.Tech, PGDBA, MFA - Bharata Natyam), is an epitome of beauty and brains, coupled with unbreakable fortitude and talent. A university rank holder in Chemical Engineering, Shankari, hails from a family of artists and is the daughter of Kalaimamani Thiru. Leo Prabhu, who is a popular dramatist, writer and director.

Shankari underwent initial training in Bharata Natyam under the veteran Guru Kalaimamani K.J. Sarasa. Her arangetram (debut) took place under the guidance of Kalaimamani Smt. Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala. She performs extensively in India and abroad in many dance festivals.

She was selected to be promoted by Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram, in 2006, was a winner in the competition conducted by Indian Fine arts society in 2007, was selected as the best dancer in Jaya TV’s Thaka dhimi Tha.

She was awarded the title ‘Naattiya Thilagam’ in appreciation to her performances in Selangor, Malaysia and was awarded the World Dance day Puraskar – 2011, by NMDA, Vizag, a member of International dance council, UNESCO.

She has completed her Masters in Bharata Natyam from Kalai Kaviri college of Fine arts, Bharatidasan University and studied Nattuvangam from Sri Bhagavatula Seetarama Sarma. She underwent part- time training at Kalakshetra, Chennai. She is a student of Smt.Bragha Bessel for abhinaya and Smt. Vijalyalakshmi Sivakumar,M.Phil for Vocal Music.

Shankari runs ‘Kalai Koodam Academy of performing arts’ in Chennai where she imparts training in Bharatanatyam.

For more details please visit: www.kalaikoodam.org