Sunitha R

🪔 About

Sunitha Raj is a distinguished exponent of Bharatanatyam, renowned for her mastery of the Vazhuvoor style. She commenced her dance training at the tender age of three and performed her arangetram at eleven, having had the privilege of experiencing the traditional Gurukul system of learning. Her esteemed gurus include the world-renowned Sri Padmashree Vazhuvoor Ramaiyya Pillai and his son, Sri Kalaimamani Vazhuvoor R. Samaraj. Throughout her career, Sunitha Raj has presented over 200 dance recitals across the globe, enriching the cultural landscape of the Carolinas, USA, where she has dedicated more than ten years to teaching and performing classical dance. She is the Artistic Director of the Nrithyanjali School of Dance (NSOD), an institution she founded to preserve and promote India's rich cultural heritage. For over 15 years, NSOD has offered training in Bharatanatyam, semi-classical, folk, and Bollywood dances, adhering to the Guru-Shishya parampara. The school has showcased its talents in more than 600 performances and conducted numerous workshops and arangetrams. Beyond her contributions to classical dance, Sunitha Raj is also recognized for her work in South Indian cinema, where she is known by the names 'Kodai Mazhai Vidya', 'Sunitha', and 'Vidyashree'. She has played lead roles in several movies, starring alongside prominent actors such as Mamooty, Mohan Lal, Jayaram, Ambarish, Anant Nag, and Shivraj Kumar. She has also performed in stage shows with Amitabh Bachchan. As a choreographer and director, she has produced and directed elaborate dance drama ballets, including "Ramayana," "Shiva Shakti," "Sivagamiyin Sabadham," "Krishna," and "Dasavathar."