Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai’s premiere Cultural organization, conferred its most prestigious NRITYA CHOODAMANI honour on Delhi-based Bharatanatyam dancer, Vidushi (Padmashri) Geeta Chandran.
According to the Sabha, the NRITYA CHOODAMANI represents 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 to Geeta Chandran on 13 December 2024 during the glittering inaugural ceremony of the 68th Marghazi Mela at the Krishna Gana Sabha’s auditorium in Chennai. Under the Presidentship of Shri Nalli Kuppuswamy, Chief Guest Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals, conferred the honour on Geeta Chandran.
In her spirited felicitation, Dr. Anita Ratnam, noted artpreneur, warmly congratulated Geeta Chandran. Sabha luminaries Y. Prabhu and Saashwathi Prabhu also congratulated Geeta.
An enviable presence of noted Gurus, dancers, scholars and artists added glamour to the award ceremony.
Celebrated as one of the leading figures in Indian classical dance across the world today, Geeta Chandran is also a highly accomplished Dance Guru, Scholar, Choreographer, Media Personality and Carnatic Vocalist, and she harnesses all these energies to “endance” the universe with Bharatanatyam.
She is Founder-President of NATYA VRIKSHA, NEW DELHI, where since 1991, she has fostered art education, mentoring and development of young artists. Geeta’s holistic pedagogy integrates classical dance learning with other diverse disciplines and values.
She champions tradition, transcending linguistic barriers, and creating meaningful choreographies contributing to wider societal dialogue.
As an arts administrator, mentor and philanthropist, Geeta supports various causes, is greatly committed to arts education in formal curricula, and leads significant social campaigns.
Her dynamic performances reflect her vision of an interconnected, inclusive, and transformative cultural experience.
In October 2024, she marked 50 years of engagement with Bharatanatyam since her arangetram in 1974.
In her five-decade career committed to Dance, Geeta has been honoured with the Padmashri (2007); the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2016); and the Tagore National Fellowship (2017-2018). The NRITYA CHOODAMANI is the latest honour in her enviable bouquet of awards and honours.
