Shreelata Suresh - The Dancer

“The clean geometry of her dance lines commands the attention of the most jaded of audiences” – writes a critic about Shreelata’s performance. Praised not only for the purity of form and style but also for the immaculate rhythm of her fleeting footwork, Shreelata Suresh, an exponent of Bharatha Natyam and Kuchipoodi, has risen to be one of the leading dancers today. Her performances are “marked by freshness, dynamism and vigor” and are “outstanding in terms of both learnt material and her own input”.

Shreelata commenced her training at the age of six under Vyjayantimala Bali, the famous dancer and actress. After her arangetram in 1981, she studied under the illustrious Guru Kalaimamani K. N. Dakshinamurthy Pillai. Presently she is under the tutelage of Guru V. Krishnamoorthi, whose unique and innovative choreography has encouraged her to create a distinct style of her own. Shreelata has also mastered the dance form of Kuchipoodi from Guru Krishnamoorthi.

Gifted with a slim figure and an attractive stage presence, Shreelata has captivated her audiences in India and around the world. She has given over 150 stage and TV performances in over 20 countries including India, North and South America’s, France, Republics of Georgia and Azerbaijan in former USSR, Australia, South-East Asia and East Africa and has shared this rich cultural heritage of India with the local people there. Shreelata has participated in premier dance festivals held in the different states of India. She played the lead role of ‘Ardhanari’ in Lalgudi Jayaraman’s dance drama, ‘Jaya Jaya Devi’ that toured 25 cities of USA and Canada.

Her attractive style, expressive movements and fleeting footwork have won her many awards and titles. Bharat Kalachar, Madras, awarded her the title of ‘Yuva Kala Bharathi’ in 1996. She was adjudged the finest young dancer in 1991 and again in 1993. In recognition of her talent she has also been awarded the titles of ‘Natyananmani’ and ‘Natyaratna’.

Apart from being an active performer in the dance circuit, Shreelata is also a contemporary teacher of Bharatha Natyam in the pure classical style. She has founded ‘Vishwa Shanthi’, a dance school and an organization that promotes peace through dance and other allied arts.