Vijaya Bhanu

🪔 About

Vijaya Bhanu was a distinguished Indian classical dancer and actress, renowned for her contributions to South Indian cinema and her dedication to classical dance forms. Born in Anantapur, India, she was raised in Chennai, where her artistic journey began at the tender age of five with a dance troupe. She received extensive training from several esteemed gurus in various classical dance styles. For Bharatanatyam, she trained under Sri Viswanathan of Lalita Kala Parishath A.P.A.P and Sri Dandayudha Pani Pillai. Her Kathak training (Banarasi style) was under Sri Varadaraj, Kuchipudi Bharatanatyam under Sri M.S. Saiva, and Kathakali under Sri Tangappa and Sri Dharan. At the peak of her acting career, during which she starred in over 100 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi languages, Vijaya Bhanu married an American and subsequently settled in Los Angeles, USA. There, she established her own classical dance academy, Sri Shakti Sharada Nritya Niketan (also known as Sri Sakti Sarade Kalaniketan), where she trained thousands of students in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Kathakali. Her academy expanded to multiple locations across Southern California, including Canoga Park, Cerritos, Hemet, Apple Valley, South Pasadena, and Palos Verdes, enrolling over 300 students. Vijaya Bhanu was also a prolific performer, showcasing her artistry extensively around the world. She was recognized with the prestigious 'Natyamayuri' title multiple times for her excellence in dance. Her sister, Dr. Sindhoori Jayasinghe, also a classical dancer, was inspired by Vijaya Bhanu and runs a dance school in the US. Vijaya Bhanu passed away in Chennai at the age of 68 due to a heatstroke. Awards & Honours: Natyamayuri (1975), Natyamayuri (1979), Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress (1980), VAMSEE VENDANTA JAGANATHA SHARMA award for Kuchipudi dance (1986), Platinum award (1994).