Harinie Jeevitha

🪔 About

Harinie Jeevitha (born January 16, 1995, in Chennai, India) is a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer specializing in the Melattur style of Bharatanatyam. She began her formal training at the age of six under the tutelage of Dr. Smt. Sheela Unnikrishnan at Sridevi Nrithyalaya in Chennai. Within three months of starting her training, she performed a small role in the production "Balaramayanam". Her arangetram, a traditional debut solo performance, took place on August 27, 2006, in Chennai, and she gave her first solo performance at the age of nine. Jeevitha holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and furthered her academic and artistic pursuits by completing a Master's degree in Bharatanatyam from Tamil University in Thanjavur. She is recognized for her "depth of research, understanding, and internalization" and her "skillful blending of nritta, natya, and abhinaya". A senior disciple of Sheela Unnikrishnan, Harinie Jeevitha contributed to 18 dance dramas choreographed by her guru. Her career as a performer has seen her feature prominently in Chennai's annual December Season at major sabhas like the Music Academy and Sri Krishna Gana Sabha since her debut. Internationally, she has conducted workshops and toured with her guru's troupe to countries including Norway (2012), Canada (2017), and the United Kingdom. In 2023, she presented her first independent production, "Varadarajam Upasmahe," which integrates multilingual devotional texts with precise abhinaya and nritta. As of February 2026, Harinie Jeevitha has transitioned to an independent artist and soloist, no longer performing with Sridevi Nrithyalaya's troupe or serving as an instructor there. She is also an accomplished author, having published two poetry collections: "Perspectives" and "The Siblings of Kanchipuram: A Garland of Poems". She holds an 'A' grade artist status with Doordarshan, reflecting her national recognition. Awards & Honours: 1st prize in Bharathanatyam dance contest by Sivan Arts Academy (2005), Best Bharatanatyam Dancer Award in the Junior Category from the Auroville Cultural Exchange (2007), 1st prize in the final round of Konjum Salangai dance competition series by Doordarshan TV (Podigai) (2008), 1st prize in all-India level Bharatanatyam competition in Bangalore conducted by Gopinath Das Nyasa (2008), 1st prize in all-India level Bharatanatyam competition in Hyderabad organized by Navya Nataka Samiti (2008), BALSHREE Award from the Government of India / National Bal Bhavan (2009), 1st prize at the Classical Duo (with Archana Raja) and 2nd at the Classical Solo dance contests of Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrutik Sangh, Pune (2009), 2nd prize in all-India level Bharatanatyam competition in Hyderabad organized by Navya Nataka Samiti (2009), 1st prize in the junior category at the Bharatanatyam contest by Concern India (2009), Bharat Kalachar scholarships for dance (2004), Yuva Kala Bharati from Bharat Kalachar (2014), Guru Sarasa Ammal Award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (2014), Gutty Vasu Memorial Prize for Second Best Dancer from The Music Academy (2014), Scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India (2015), Vrindrani Award from The Lasya (2021).