Gurus 

GuruVidya Sankaranarayanan hails from a musically rich family and receives her Carnatic music training from her mother, Smt. Saraswathy Sankaranarayanan. This mother-daughter relationship goes beyond the familial bond; it is one of profound respect and dedication to the art form. Under her mother’s guidance, Vidya developed not only her technical skills but also a deep understanding of the cultural and spiritual essence of Bharatanatyam.

Vidya's dance education has been profoundly shaped by Thanjavur K. P. Kittappa Pillai, arguably one of the greatest gurus of the 19th century and a towering figure in the Bharatanatyam tradition. Under his meticulous mentorship, Vidya not only mastered the technical precision of Bharatanatyam but also absorbed the rich cultural heritage and deep spiritual significance embedded within the Thanjavur style. His teachings have become the cornerstone of her artistic identity, influencing every aspect of her performance and pedagogy. The rigorous training and profound insights she received from Kittappa Pillai have deeply anchored her Bharatanatyam journey, laying the foundation for her career as both a performer and a teacher.

These professional relationships with her gurus have significantly influenced Vidya's approach to Bharatanatyam, integrating the disciplines of music and dance into a cohesive and spiritually enriched practice. Through these bonds, Vidya has not only preserved the artistic legacy of her teachers but has also become a vessel for transmitting these traditions to the next generation. The relationships with her gurus are foundational to Vidya’s identity as an artist, embodying a continuum of tradition, respect, and a commitment to the preservation and propagation of Bharatanatyam.

To know more about the Thanjavur Style of Bharatanatyam click the video above!