Founder & Principal Teacher
Sumithra
Sudhakar
Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Trained for over eighteen years in the Vazhuvoor bani under Kalai Choodamani Smt. Sasmitta K. Aroraa of Shankkaram School of Art — in the lineage of S.K. Rajarathnam Pillai. Founder of Anandha Natyasthala.
- 18+
- Years of training
- 150+
- Performances
- 10+
- Natyanjali festivals
- 4+
- Dance dramas
Profile
Bharatanatyam dancer with over eighteen years of training and performance in the Vazhuvoor bani under Kalai Choodamani Smt. Sasmitta K. Aroraa of Shankkaram School of Art, in the lineage of S.K. Rajarathnam Pillai.
Active performer across more than 150 professional engagements — spanning national Natyanjali festivals, government cultural programmes, international platforms, ticketed productions, and corporate events.
Founder of Anandha Natyasthala, providing free classical Bharatanatyam training to students from rural and financially limited backgrounds. Senior Faculty at Shankkaram Academy of Arts (with branches in USA, UK, Canada, and the Middle East).
Featured in Trinity Mirror (national daily) by V. Ramjee, Kalaimamani awardee, April 2026. Holder of the titles Natana Kala Mani (Hosur Natyanjali, 2024), Natana Kala Shri (Karur Natyanjali, 2020), and Nritya Vinodini (Gana Mukundhapriya, 2019).
Training & Lineage
Kalai Choodamani Smt. Sasmitta K. Aroraa
Shankkaram School of Art · 2014 – present
Vazhuvoor bani, in the lineage of Kalaimamai S.K. Rajarathnam Pillai. Arangetram: 28 January 2018. Currently active as Senior Faculty at Shankkaram Academy of Arts.
Foundational training
Other distinguished Bharatanatyam gurus · Prior to 2014
Qualifications
Diploma in Nattuvangam
J. Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University
Teacher's Training Course
Global Arts Academy UK · Prayathnam Level 5 with excellence — Yathna Prathibha
B.Tech, Computer Science Engineering
Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore
Arangetram
28 January 2018 · Shankkaram School of Art
Principal Training — Vazhuvoor bani
Kalai Choodamani Smt. Sasmitta K. Aroraa · Shankkaram School of Art
Titles & Recognition
Natana Kala Mani
Hosur Natyanjali
October 2024
Natana Kala Shri
Karur Natyanjali
October 2020
Nritya Vinodini
Gana Mukundhapriya
December 2019
Media Feature
Trinity Mirror · Article by V. Ramjee, Kalaimamani awardee
April 2026
Performance Career
150+ Engagements
National Festivals & Natyanjali
- Chidambaram Natyanjali (44th edition) — 2025 · Nataraja temple, Chidambaram
- Mayura Natyanjali — 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Kovayil Thiruvayaaru — 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Hosur Natyanjali — 2024 · Title: Natana Kala Mani
- Karur Natyanjali — 2020 · Title: Natana Kala Shri
- Salem Natyanjali — 2020
- Perur Natyanjali — 2017
International & Major Platforms
- Vaishakha Natanam 2026 — Bekal Gokulam Goushala, Kerala · World-record festival: 372 hrs, 2,663 artists
- Third International Conference on Thirukkural — Delhi Tamil Conference, New Delhi, 2019
- Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav — South Zone Cultural Centre / Ministry of Culture, 7 January 2022
- Coimbatore Vizha 2024 — Isha Yoga Center, 30 December 2024
Corporate & Commercial
- SAP Labs India Innovation Park Grand Opening — 2025 · Invocatory performance, presence of Karnataka CM Shri Siddaramaiah
- SAP Labs Board Members Welcome Performance — 2024
- SAP Karnataka Rajyothsava Celebrations — 2023, 2024, 2025
- RMKV Silks 'Weaves & Wonders' Festive Collection Launch — 20 September 2025, Maheshwari Bhavan, Coimbatore
Ticketed Productions (Medai, Coimbatore)
- Irumudi Iraiva — 4 January 2026 · Lead dancer
- Karunai Kadale Kaamakshi — 23 April 2025
Major Dance Drama Productions
- Irumudi Iraiva — Key dancer & co-choreographer
- Nillu Kannappa — Key dancer & co-choreographer
- Valluvam Vaazhai Aanal — Key dancer & co-choreographer
- Bharathiyin Agni Kunjugal — Key dancer & co-choreographer
Teaching & Mentorship
Founder & Principal Teacher — Anandha Natyasthala
2024 – present
Free-of-cost online Bharatanatyam training to students from rural and financially limited backgrounds. Conducted the school's inaugural Salangai Poojai in May 2026, recognised in independent media coverage.
Senior Faculty — Shankkaram Academy of Arts
2021 – present
Choreography, mentorship, and production support across major Shankkaram dance dramas and events. Event hosting and anchoring for institutional performances. Academy has branches in USA, UK, Canada, and the Middle East.
Community Teaching — Ramana Nandavanam / Shankkaram, Ayyampalayam, Tiruvannamalai
2022 – present
Free Bharatanatyam instruction to children from rural Tamil Nadu.
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