70+
Years of Experience
2+
Students Taught
1
Followers
About
Santha Bhaskar (née Pankyamma Santhamma, 1939 – 26 February 2022) was a pioneering Indian classical dancer, teacher, and choreographer who significantly shaped Singapore's arts landscape. Born in Kerala, India, in 1939, she initially preferred science and mathematics but was encouraged by her father to pursue classical Indian dance. She received training in…
Journey Timeline
1939
Born — Born Pankyamma Santhamma in Kerala, India.
1955
Marriage and move to Singapore — Married K. P. Bhaskar and moved to Singapore.
1956
Began teaching — Started teaching at Bhaskar's Academy of Dance.
1958
First cross-cultural choreography — Created "The Butterfly Lovers", weaving Indian and Chinese dance elements.
1960
Received Singapore citizenship
1968
Featured on Singapore stamp — Featured as an Indian dancer in a series of stamps issued by Singapore Post Office.
1975
Received Natya Rani Award — Awarded by the Singapore Indian Film and Dramatic Society.
1975
Received Kala Ratna Award — Awarded by the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Association.
1977
Began teaching at NUS — Started teaching at the National University of Singapore's Centre for Musical Activities (later Centre for the Arts).
1987
Co-founded Nrityalaya Aesthetics Society — Established with her husband as a non-profit teaching institution.
1990
Awarded Cultural Medallion — Highest accolade granted to Singaporean artists.
1993
Bhaskar's Academy of Dance renamed — Became Bhaskar's Arts Academy.
1995
Studied Thai dance and music — Undertook an ASEAN exchange programme at Chulalongkorn University.
1996
Staged "Manohra" — A cultural-fusion work combining Indian and Thai dance styles.
2011
"Anweshana – The Search for Nalanda" wins Production of the Year — Awarded at the Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards.
2012
Inducted into Singapore Women's Hall of Fame
2013
Husband K.P. Bhaskar passed away
2016
Awarded Public Service Star — Also collaborated on "Sambhavna 1.0" with NUS Centre for Quantum Technologies.
2017
"Sambhavna 2.0" performed
2019
Headed Singapore delegation at ASEAN Contemporary Dance Festival — Aged 80 at the time.
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
Signature repertoire pieces will be showcased here.
Performance Map
A world map of performances will appear here as tours are recorded.
Awards & Honors
- 1975 · Natya Rani (Queen of Dance) Award — Singapore Indian Film and Dramatic Society
- 1975 · Kala Ratna (Jewel of the Art) Award — Singapore Indian Fine Arts Association
- 1990 · Cultural Medallion — Singapore
- 2016 · Public Service Star (Bintang Bakti Masyarakat) — Singapore
- 2021 · Meritorious Service Medal (Pingat Jasa Gemilang) — Singapore
- 2021 · Inducted into Singapore Women's Hall of Fame
- IHFS Excellence Award For Performing Arts — Indian Hall of Fame Singapore
- 2011 · Production of the Year (Anweshana – The Search for Nalanda) — Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards
- 2019 · Production of the Year (28) — Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards
Media Coverage
- A Tribute to Santha Bhaskar From a Student
ArtsEquator
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