Sheela Pathy

🪔 About

Dr. Sheela Unnikrishnan, often recognized as a prominent figure in Indian classical dance, particularly Bharatanatyam, was born on April 13, 1970, in Chennai, India. She began her formal training in Bharatanatyam at the age of eleven, learning the Melattur style from the late Guru Sri Sundaram, a senior disciple of Mridangam Maestro Mangudi Sri Dorairaja Iyer. She performed her arangetram alongside her two sisters in 1982. In addition to Bharatanatyam, she also studied Carnatic vocal music and Harmonium under Guru Late Dakshinamoorthy. Further expanding her dance repertoire, she underwent intensive training in Kuchipudi for seven years at the Kuchipudi Art Academy, under the direct tutelage of Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, starting in 1990. After the passing of her Bharatanatyam guru, Sheela Unnikrishnan began teaching Bharatanatyam to juniors in Guru Sundaram's Villivakkam branch. In 1987, she founded Sridevi Nrithyalaya (SDN) in Chennai, an institution dedicated to imparting the Melattur style of Bharatanatyam. The academy has since grown significantly, now operating from a purpose-built facility with multiple dance halls, an administrative office, and a well-equipped library. She also served as a dance teacher at PSBB Schools, K. K. Nagar, for 22 years, starting in 1992. Dr. Unnikrishnan is known for her meticulous teaching methodology and her ability to nurture young talent, with her students making a mark in national and international forums. She has choreographed over 300 solo dance pieces, 8 thematic presentations, and 7 dance dramas, including "Bala Ramayanam," which she presented at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2005. In 2017, she was conferred a Doctorate by Tanjavore University for her research on "Dance Aspects in Minor Tamil Literature." Awards & Honours: Scholarship for young artistes in Kuchipudi, Best Guru in Bharathanatyam award (2005), Acharya Kala Vipanchee (2011), NCA Award of Excellence in Bharathanatyam (2012), Sadhaka Sundaram (2014), Acharya Kala Bharathi (2015), Kala Vidushi Samman (2016), Natya Kala Mani (2017).