Nrithyanjali School Of Dance

Nrithyanjali School Of Dance

Nrithyanjali School of Dance, serves the Chicago and Chicago area suburbs by providing education, and imparting knowledge and awareness of the South Indian Classical Dance form of Bharatanatyam. The mission of Nrithyanjali is to provide high quality instruction in this traditional art form, and through performances and demonstrations provide exposure to the art to various audiences in the community.

Nrithyanjali was established in 1996 in Bolingbrook, IL with Sushmita Arunkumar as its Artistic Director. Now, close to two decades later, it has become a leading center in the community for education in the art and today boasts a culturally diverse and large student enrollment .

For the past few years, Nrithyanjali has been actively performing recitals and educational services throughout the region at fund raising events, conferences, lecture demonstrations, social and religious events in the Indian temples, and free annual showcases of its student’s talents for all in the community. Today, Nrithyanjali annually reaches a large number of residents of all ages, and has a profound and positive impact on the younger generations.

 
 

Artistic Director

Sushmita Arunkumar’s love for Bharatanatyam began during her childhood in India. A devout performer, meticulously trained under the watchful eyes of Guru Padmashri Adyar K. Lakshman, Sushmita’s talent for Bharatanatyam has won her several accolades. 

Sushmita is a quintessential artist, gifted in transforming herself into the characters she portrays. Able to move both acutely and gracefully, she possesses the talent to call upon her own emotion as well as the emotions of the audience in order to tell a story through dance. She has performed widely in both India and the United States.

Awards

  • Award of Excellence in the Arts by the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Lemont, IL, presented by Dr. Karan Singh (former MP Rajya Sabha)

  • Award of Appreciation for contribution to Bharatanatyam in Annmayya Tathwa Pracharam during the XVth Annamacharya Aradhana Utsavam by Sri Annamaacharya Project of North America

  • Award of Recognition by the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple, Aurora, IL, for her performance in the Maha Samprokshanam - Maha Kumbhabhishekam of the temple

  • Balasaraswathi Award by Krishna Gana Sabha in 1995

  • A selection by the Tamil Nadu Government for their sponsored programs in the state during 1993 -1994