Geetha Upadhyaya

🪔 About

Dr. Geetha Upadhyaya is a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, particularly Bharatanatyam, and a co-founder of the prominent UK-based South Asian arts organization, Kala Sangam. She initially pursued a career in medicine, working as a Consultant in Metabolic Medicine in India, Malaysia, and England. Her passion for dance began early, learning Bharatanatyam in Chennai, India, from Guru Sri Dailay (identified as Padmashri Shri Dhandayuthapani Pillai in one source) and focusing on *abhinaya* (expression) with Guru Goryama (likely Kalanidhi Narayanan). She started her dance training around the age of 8-10. In 1993, Dr. Upadhyaya, alongside her husband Dr. Shripati Upadhyaya, a consultant clinical psychologist, co-founded Kala Sangam in Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. The organization later moved to Bradford in 1996 and, in 2007, secured a significant £1.5 million award from Arts Council England to establish its centre of excellence at St. Peter's House. As the Artistic Director and CEO, and later the lifetime President of Kala Sangam, Dr. Upadhyaya has been instrumental in promoting high-quality South Asian arts, making them accessible to diverse communities, and utilizing arts in health, youth, and community settings. She has dedicated her life to Kala Sangam, stepping away from her medical career to foster the growth of South Asian arts and cultural heritage. Awards & Honours: Doctorate of Letters by Bradford University, Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) (2016), Begum Rokeya Award (2021), Valuvoor Award (2026).