Joshua George

🪔 About

Joshua George is an accomplished Indian classical dancer specializing in Bharatanatyam, known for his contributions as a performer, choreographer, and co-founder of the Anubhava Dance Company. He began his dance journey at the age of four under the tutelage of Sri Thomas Ottakkunnel. His early dedication to Bharatanatyam was recognized in 2003 when he was awarded the title Nritha Rajan by the Federation of Kerala Associations in North America (FOKANA), becoming one of the youngest recipients of the Kanaka Chilanga (golden bells) for his performance. He continued his training under Smt. Poonam Mahesh, artistic director of Nrityanant Performing Arts, who significantly shaped his technique and rendition. George has performed widely and received numerous accolades, including first-prize awards at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival dance competition in both 2009 and 2011. He was also honored by Kalavedhi International for his contributions to the arts. In 2015, he co-founded the Anubhava Dance Company with Shriya Srinivasan, aiming to amplify the voices of second-generation Indian-American artists and inspire youth to engage with traditional Indian art forms. The company focuses on blending traditional Bharatanatyam with modern themes and exploring the intersections of art, community engagement, and social conscience. George also holds an MPH from Case Western Reserve University (2018) and is a medical student, actively exploring the connections between academics, creativity, and dance. He has co-curated significant events like the Intersections Conference, which spotlights U.S.-based Indian classical artists as innovators in movement, research, and pedagogy. Awards & Honours: Nritha Rajan (2003), First-prize award at Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival dance competition (2009), First-prize award at Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival dance competition (2011), Honored for contribution to the arts.