Sridhar (film star)

🪔 About

Sridhar, an accomplished Indian actor, is equally renowned as a Bharatanatyam dancer, scholar, performer, and choreographer. Born on November 22, 1960, in Bengaluru, India, he holds an engineering degree alongside his profound artistic achievements. Sridhar received his initial Bharatanatyam training from Guru Smt. Radha Sridhar of Bengaluru. He further honed his skills in the Kalakshetra style under Guru Sri. M.R. Krishnamurthy and also trained with Guru Smt. Narmada, Guru Smt. Bhanumati, and Guru Smt. Vasanta Vedam of Kalakshetra. Additionally, he undertook special training in Kuchipudi from Guru Sri C.R. Acharyulu at Darpana Academy, Ahmedabad. Sridhar made his acting debut in the Kannada film "Amrutha Ghalige" in 1984 and has since appeared in over 60 films across five languages, including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi. Despite a successful film career, he dedicated himself to classical dance, becoming recognized as one of the country's foremost male Bharatanatyam dancers. He frequently performs as a duo with his wife, Anuradha, also a Bharatanatyam dancer, and they are celebrated as "the best dance couple in Bharatanatyam today" and the "first dance couple of Karnataka." Their performances, known for technical virtuosity and emotional intensity, have captivated audiences globally, including in the USA, France, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, Singapore, Kenya, and the Gulf countries. In 1994, Sridhar and Anuradha co-founded the Khechara Academy of Bharatanatyam in Bengaluru, dedicating their lives to preserving and propagating Bharatanatyam. The academy received "The Best Dance Institute Award" in 2016 from the Newspapers Association, Karnataka. Sridhar's commitment to dance extends to academia; in 2014, he earned a Doctorate (D.Lit) from Kannada University, Hampi, for his thesis on the 'Socio-cultural aspects of the Male Dancer in Bharatanatyam.' His choreographic works, often based on epics and literary masterpieces, are lauded for their creativity, spiritual depth, and extensive research. Awards & Honours: Best dancer in state level dance competition (1982), Nrutyakalabhushana (1996), Karnataka Chetana (2000), Yuva Kalabharathy (2001), Karnataka Kalasri Award (2007), Z-Essel Culture Award (2007), Rukmini Devi Endowment Prize for best performance in Pongal Dance festival (2008), Senior Dancer's Award (2009), E-TV & Big FM Award in the field of Dance (2011), Hamsaratna Award (2011), Sagar Award (2011), U.S. Krishnarao & Chandrabhagadevi award (2012), Ugadi Puraskar (2012), Parimala Prasasti (2012), Rajyotsava Award.