Sudha Chandra Sekhar, who symbolizes the peak of purity and performance of this great art form, has been classed with “the all-time greats” of classical Bharatanatyam arts. Meticulous with each portrayal and adhering to purity of style, Sudha has become “one of those artists who combines versatility and artistry”. Sudha’s extensive experience dates back to 1943 when she first began her classical dance training in Manipuri and Kathak at Rupayatan institute in Mumbai, India. She began her Bharatanatyam training under the renowned masters of Sri Rajarajeswari Bharatha Natya Kalamandir in 1945. She gave a stunning performance in Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi for India’s Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, honoring Prime Minister Walter Nash of New Zealand in 1958. Sudha has given over 6000 performances in several parts of India and several other countries. She has also taught courses through University of Windsor, Wayne State University, Albion College and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Sudha has received numerous awards, including “Nritya Seva Mani” in 2010 at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana festival, “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2014 conferred by Michigan Dance Council and National Dance Educators Association USA.

Samhita Saishivani Rama is a recent High School and International Baccalaureate Graduate from International Academy East in Troy, MI. She will be attending Michigan State University in Fall 2020, under the prestigious Osteopathic Medical Scholars Program (OMSP), pursuing a degree in Human Biology at the Lyman Briggs College. She has been training in the art of Indian Classical Dance since the young age of five under the loving guidance of Smt. Sudha Chandrasekhar, and has performed in numerous shows over the past twelve years. Alongside dance, she has learned Carnatic vocal music for the past fourteen years under the tutelage of Smt. Malathi Subramanian, and was able to complete her vocal arangetram in January of 2017.

Additionally, she enjoys public speaking, playing the flute, and spending time with friends and family. In her free time, Samhita loves to bake and is the resident baker of the family. Over the past few years she has discovered a new hobby of miniature painting. She has painted candle jar lids, canvas shoes, airpod cases, and denim pockets! At school, she is an active member in HOSA, a club which focuses on students going into medicine. She also participates in IASA, which celebrates the many dance styles of India. Today, with the blessings from the Lord, her gurus, grandparents, and parents, she will be presenting her solo debut performance.