Sujatha Srinivasan
Sujatha Srinivasan is an internationally acclaimed Bharatanatyam artist whose work revitalizes this ancient Indian classical tradition, making it vibrant and resonant for contemporary audiences. As a distinguished performer, choreographer, and teacher, she has spent over five decades advancing the art through performance, pedagogy, and innovation. While her choreography remains anchored in the traditional vocabulary of Bharatanatyam, it boldly engages with pressing modern themes such as climate change and social justice. The Ohio Arts Council recently awarded Sujatha the Individual Excellence Award for Choreography and Heritage Fellowship for 2024. Sujatha was one of the resident artists of Akron Soul Train for 2023 and the winner of the Cleveland Arts Prize - Martha Joseph award for 2022.
Through her institution, Shri Kalaa Mandir – Center for Indian Performing Arts, she has nurtured hundreds of students, many of whom now carry the tradition forward across North America. Over the last 30 years in Northeast Ohio, Sujatha has crafted an expansive body of work that educates, inspires, and fosters cultural dialogue across generations.
As a passionate arts educator, Sujatha brings Bharatanatyam into K-12 classrooms and university settings alike, bridging cultural gaps and instilling artistic curiosity. Her sustained commitment has left a lasting imprint on the region’s cultural fabric and has elevated the presence of Bharatanatyam across North America.
