sujatha srinivasan
Sujatha Srinivasan is an internationally acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent, choreographer, educator, and arts advocate who has significantly shaped the Indian classical dance scene in North America. Trained under revered gurus including Chitra Visweswaran, Swamimalai S.K. Rajaratnam, Udupi Laxminarayan, and Kalanidhi Narayanan, she began performing in her teens, earning numerous scholarships and awards.
Since relocating to Ohio in 1993, Sujatha has been a driving force in the propagation of Bharatanatyam as the founder and artistic director of Shri Kalaa Mandir – Center for Indian Performing Arts in Cleveland. Blending classical rigor with creative innovation, her works include composer-themed productions, multimedia presentations, and cross-genre collaborations as well as social and contemporary issues that elevate and expand the reach of Bharatanatyam.
Her three-decade-long contributions have earned her numerous honors, including the Individual Excellence Award and Heritage Fellowship from the Ohio Arts Council, the Cleveland Arts Prize – Martha Joseph Award, and recognition as an Arts Education Champion. She also holds titles such as Nrithya Seva Mani, Nritya Ratnakara, and Sambrama Puraskar.
A visionary teacher, Sujatha has nurtured a generation of accomplished Bharatanatyam artists in North America. Her work extends beyond the stage into classrooms and communities, using the power of dance to educate, inspire, and support social causes.
abstract
MANAS- The Charioteer Within
Presentation & Discussion of New Works
Inspired by Vedic philosophy, this dance production draws on the metaphor of life as a chariot: the mind as charioteer, and the five senses as horses that must be guided with awareness. When the senses take control, we lose direction—leading to destructive habits and societal imbalance. Through contemporary episodes, we explore how this ancient idea plays out today: unchecked greed in financial markets reflects the tale of Midas; ego and power struggles fuel gender discrimination; fear and desire shape the immigration crisis. By linking timeless philosophy with urgent social issues, the performance invites reflection on how to restore inner and outer harmony.
Choreographer: Guru Sujatha Srinivasan
Dancers: Shri Kalaa Mandir Dance Company
Sita Vakkalanka, Sweta Balaji, Janaki Nair, Pooja Vallampati, Sudhiksha Ramesh, Sneha Upadhyayula