Sandhya Sree

🪔 About

Sandhya Sree Atmakuri, also known as Sandhya Raju, is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and teacher proficient in both Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam. Her artistic journey began with an inheritance of performing arts interest from her mother, Smt. Indira Devi, who also provided her initial training in Carnatic Classical Music. At the age of ten, Sandhya Sree commenced her Kuchipudi training under the tutelage of the legendary Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam at the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Chennai. Her Kuchipudi education also included instruction from Smt. Bala of Kuchipudi Kalakshetra, Visakhapatnam, and later from Guru Kishore Mosalikanti, under whose guidance she performed her Rangapravesham. In Bharatanatyam, she adheres to the renowned Vazhuvoor school, having trained under Kum. Padma and Kalaimamani Swamimalai Rajarathnam Pillai, with a brief period of study under Guru Bangalore B. Bhanumathi. Additionally, she received Nattuvangam training from Guru Bhagavatula Seetha Rama Sarma. Academically, Sandhya Sree holds a Baccalaureate degree in Law from Andhra University. She is the founder and director of "Natya Dharmi" foundation for performing arts, located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA. She also established "Nishrinkala Dance Academy" in Hyderabad, India, where she began teaching in 2006 after her marriage and relocation. Through her institutions, she has guided over 35 students to successfully complete their Arangetrams and has conceptualized numerous acclaimed dance productions. Her notable performances include portraying Lord Krishna in Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam's dance drama 'Gopika Krishna' at the age of 15. She has performed extensively across India and internationally, with appearances at prestigious venues such as the Guimet Museum in Paris and the International Museum in Vienna. Sandhya Sree is an award-winning artist, having been honored with a National scholarship for Kuchipudi from the Ministry of Human Resources, Government of India, and the 'Singaramani' award for Kuchipudi from the Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai. In 2022, she received the 68th National Film Award for Best Choreography for her work in the Telugu film 'Natyam', in which she also played the lead role. She has also been recognized with the Vadlamudi VenkataRathnam Memorial award for her contributions to art and culture in the Metro Detroit Area. Awards & Honours: First gold medal, National scholarship for Kuchipudi, National Award for choreography in Bharata Natyam, Singaramani award for Kuchipudi, Natya Visharada, Kuchipudi Nrithya Maukthikam, Vadlamudi VenkataRathnam Memorial award, 68th National Film Award for Best Choreography (for the film 'Natyam') (2022).