Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai’s premier cultural organization, conferred its prestigious NRITYA CHOODAMANI honour on celebrated Delhi-based Bharatanatyam dancer, Vidushi (Padmashri) Geeta Chandran.
The Sabha describes the NRITYA CHOODAMANI as “an apex honour bestowed upon an exemplary artist who has dedicated her life to the promotion of her chosen art form and has contributed significantly to the preservation and upliftment of the art and to society at large through her performances and sustained commitment.”
The award was presented on 13 December 2024 during the grand inaugural ceremony of the 68th Marghazi Mela at the Krishna Gana Sabha auditorium in Chennai. Under the Presidentship of Shri Nalli Kuppuswamy, the honour was conferred by Chief Guest Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals.
Dr. Anita Ratnam, noted artpreneur, warmly congratulated Geeta Chandran in her spirited felicitation, and the event witnessed further accolades from Sabha luminaries Y. Prabhu and Saashwathi Prabhu. The ceremony sparkled with the presence of renowned Gurus, dancers, scholars, and artists who celebrated this momentous occasion.
Geeta Chandran, widely recognized as one of the leading figures in Indian classical dance globally, is a distinguished Dance Guru, Scholar, Choreographer, Media Personality, and Carnatic Vocalist. She integrates these multiple disciplines to “endance” the universe with Bharatanatyam.
She is the Founder-President of NATYA VRIKSHA, NEW DELHI, where since 1991, she has fostered art education and mentored young artists. Her holistic pedagogy bridges classical dance learning with other diverse disciplines and values, enabling wider societal dialogues through meaningful choreographies.
Geeta Chandran is also an ardent advocate for arts education, social causes, and inclusive cultural experiences. Marking a milestone, she completed 50 years of engagement with Bharatanatyam in October 2024, commemorating her arangetram in 1974.
In her illustrious five-decade career, Geeta has received numerous accolades, including the Padmashri (2007), the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2016), and the Tagore National Fellowship (2017-2018). The NRITYA CHOODAMANI now joins this impressive array of honours.
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