Natyakala Saraswathi Guru Smt.Padma:

Founder and Director of Jaya Sathvika Natyalaya, an institution of Bharathanatyam and Music running at West Mambalam, Thiruvanmiyur, Vadapazhani and Triplicane,Chennai with more than 80 students. She is a devoted disciple of Late. Kalaimamani Thanjai Arunachalam Pillai and Kalaimamani Jayalakshmi Arunachalam Pillai. She has done a detailed research about the dikbalas, 7 thandavams of Lord Shiva, the ornamental serpents of Lord Shiva, the three avatars of Goddess Amman and presented her work in the form of dance ballets namely “Navasandhi Kauthuvam”, “ Saptha Thadavam”, “Ashta Nagas” and “Thri Sakthi”. Her book on Lower and Higher Grade Classical dance examinations was published in the year 2003. She shares the intricacies of Nattuvangam with her potential students. She has been conferred with titles “Adal Nattuvanga Kalaimani” and “Natyakala Saraswathi”. She recently received the “Bharatha Seva Rathna” award for her contributions in the field of Bharathanatyam.

Padmashri. Guru Shobana Chandrakumar

Following the footsteps of her aunts, the legendary classical dancers - Travancore sisters - Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini , Shobana had a natural flair for Bharathanatyam. She had an intensive training at the Chidambaram Academy of Performing Arts under the guidance of the distinguished Guru Smt. Chithra Visweswaran. She has performed widely in the USA, Europe, South East Asia and Australia. She has performed with artists like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Vikku Vinayak Ram, Sonal Mansingh, Padma Subramaniam. She branched out as an independent performer and choreographer in her twenties. She is a “A TOP” grade performer at the National Doordarshan Kendra, Delhi. Shobana’s basic training in the mridangam and flute has given her a deep insight into all dimensions of choreography and composing. Government of India honored Shobana with the “Padma Shri” award in the year 2006.