Sooraj Subramaniam

🪔 About

Sooraj Subramaniam is an Australian-Belgian dance artist of Malaysian-Indian heritage, renowned for his fluid work across traditional Indian classical dance, contemporary performance, and experimental forms. Born in Malaysia, he received his early training in Bharatanatyam, Odissi, classical ballet, and contemporary techniques at the Sutra Dance Theatre in Malaysia from 1989 to 2001. [2, 3, 6, 10] He continued his education in Australia, studying classical ballet with Stella Johnson and graduating from the Western Australian Academy for Performing Arts between 2001 and 2004. [2, 3, 6, 10] During his time in Perth, Western Australia, he co-directed Mudhra Dance Company with Premala Sangarananda, where he taught and performed Indian classical and contemporary dance. [2, 7] In 2007, Subramaniam moved to London, UK, and worked primarily with SRISHTI, teaching and performing Bharatanatyam. [2, 3, 6, 7] His international touring experience includes collaborations with Akademi, Balbir Singh Dance Company, and Shobana Jeyasingh Dance. [2, 3, 5, 6, 7] He further expanded his classical vocabulary by training in Kathak with Urja Desai Thakore in London from 2009 to 2012. [2, 3, 10] Since relocating to Belgium in 2012, Subramaniam has collaborated with independent choreographers such as Nicole Kohler, Kalpana Raghuraman, Seeta Patel, and the Maghenta Collective. [2, 3, 5] He continues rigorous Odissi training, including virtual mentorship with Bijayini Satpathy since the global lockdown. [2, 3, 10] Subramaniam's notable independent works include “Nocturne” (2011), “nimbus,” “PALLAVI,” and “Mandala.” [2, 3, 4, 10] He also collaborated with Balbir Singh Dance Company on “Reflections of an Indian Dancer” and co-created the award-winning dance film “Other Places of Being” with January Low. [2, 8] His contributions to dance were recognized with a nomination for Outstanding Male Classical Performance at the Critics' Circle UK National Dance Awards in 2023 for his role in Seeta Patel's “The Rite of Spring.” [2, 10] He is currently based in Ghent, Belgium. [3, 7] Awards & Honours: Nomination, Outstanding Male Classical Performance (2023), Honourable Mention, Other Places of Being (2022), Best Dance Film, Other Places of Being (2021), Best Dance Film, Other Places of Being (2021).