Veshnu Thamizhvanan

🪔 About

Thamizhvanan Narayanasamy Veshnu, popularly known as Veshnu, is a highly accomplished Indian classical dancer from Singapore, renowned for his expertise in Bharatanatyam and Odissi, as well as his innovative work in contemporary dance. He is recognized as one of the few Indian classical dancers from Singapore to achieve professional status in the art form. Veshnu began his classical dance training in Bharatanatyam as a teenager under Mr. V. Balakrishnan at Silat Community Club in Singapore. In 1987, he joined the People's Association Indian Dance Group, directed by Mrs. Neila Sathyalingam. He furthered his Bharatanatyam training in South India (Tamil Nadu) under esteemed gurus such as Smt. Krishnaveni Lakshmanan in Chennai, Smt. Savitri Jaganatha Rao, and Professor C.V. Chandrasekar. Veshnu embarked on a professional dance career in 1995, joining the Bharatam Dance Company in Melbourne, Australia, where he was a principal dancer under the direction of Dr. Chandrabhanu. His association with the company expanded his creative horizons, and he commenced his exploration of Odissi in 1997, training under Dr. Chandrabhanu and having master classes with the late Sanjukta Panigrahi. He also studied Carnatic music under Sri Sathyalingam in Singapore and Sri Vaidhayanathan in Chennai. Veshnu holds a Postgraduate Diploma and a Master's in Dance degree and is currently pursuing doctoral research in dance at the Victoria College of Arts, University of Melbourne. He is a freelance artist who produces and directs his own shows, traveling internationally as a mentor, teacher, choreographer, and dancer. Awards & Honours: Singapore Young Artist Award (1998), Project Grants, Project Grants.