Murugashankari Leo

🪔 About

Murugashankari Leo is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, tutor, theatric actor, and research scholar, primarily known for her expertise in Bharatanatyam. Hailing from a family of artists in Chennai, India, her father, Leo Prabu, is a renowned dramatist and actor. Murugashankari began her Bharatanatyam training at the tender age of five under the tutelage of the legendary 'Kalaimamani' K.J. Sarasa. She later completed her Arangetram, her debut performance, under the esteemed guidance of 'Kalaimamani' Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala. Despite initially pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, where she was a university rank holder from Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Murugashankari made a conscious decision to dedicate herself to her passion for dance. She furthered her academic pursuits by earning a Master of Fine Arts in Bharatanatyam from Bharathidasan University (Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, Trichy) and holds a postgraduate diploma in Business Administration from Symbiosis, Pune. Currently, she is a research scholar, having been awarded a Junior Research Fellowship from the UGC, India, to pursue her PhD. Her comprehensive artistic training also includes Carnatic music and Nattuvangam, and she underwent part-time training at Kalakshetra, Chennai. She is also pursuing a Master's in music from the University of Madras and studies abhinaya under Smt. Bragha Bessell. As a performer, Murugashankari has graced numerous prestigious dance festivals and major sabhas across India, and has presented her concerts internationally in countries like Malaysia and Singapore. She is also an accomplished theatric actor, having played the lead role in the Tamil drama "Neruppu Kolangal," which received critical acclaim. Murugashankari is a dedicated educator, having founded and currently leading Kalai Koodam, an Academy of Performing Arts, with centers in Chennai and Madurai. The academy, established around 2006, has grown to instruct over 75 students, with nearly 20 having successfully completed their Arangetrams under her guidance. Her commitment to teaching traditional art forms is a significant part of her artistic journey. Awards & Honours: WORLD DANCE DAY PURASKAR (2011), Naattiya Thilagam, NATYA KALA VIPANCHEE (2011), NRITYA SHIROMANI, Narthana Shiromani, National Excellency Award (2012), Graded artiste, Winner in competition (2007), Best dancer in Thaka dhimi Tha, Selected for promotion (2006).