Sharmila Rao
Indian classical dance Teacher
28+
Years of Experience
1
Followers
About
Sharmila Rao is a Swiss-born Indian classical dancer and teacher specializing in Bharatanatyam, with over 30 years of stage experience. Born in Baden, Switzerland, in 1980, she is the daughter of Smt. Vijaya Rao and Anton Tönz, founders of the Nateschwara Academy, a prominent institution for Indian arts in Switzerland. Her initiation into Bharatanatyam…
Journey Timeline
1980
Born in Baden, Switzerland
1985
Began Bharatanatyam training — Initiated at age five by Guru Shri Pathagudi S. Ramaswamy
1992
Arangetram (stage debut) — Completed basic education in Indian dance at age 12
1994/95
Toured Europe with "Abhijnana Shakuntalam" — Performed over 40 times in the dance theater production choreographed by Vijaya Rao
1998
Received "Natya Mayuri" award — Young talent promotion award from the Music Academy Chennai
1998
Began teaching dance — Started teaching at her parents' dance school at age 18
2008
Completed Master's degree — In Indology, Social Anthropology, and Educational Science from the University of Zurich
2009
Received "Natyakala Sudarshini" and Dedication Excellency Award — Awards presented in Bangalore
2010
Completed teacher training diploma — From Nateschwara Academy
2016
Founded her own dance school — Sharmila Rao's Bharata Natyam Dance School in Zurich and Wettingen
2017
Completed PhD in Indology — Dissertation on "The Modern Reception of Purandara Dasa's Compositions" with summa cum laude
2021
Completed training in physical education
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
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Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 1998 · Natya Mayuri (Dancing Peacock) — Music Academy Chennai
- 2009 · Natyakala Sudarshini (Outstanding Beauty of Dance) — Karnataka Kalashree BK Chandramouli (on behalf of Shri Mukambika Talavadya Sangeeta Kalashale)
- 2009 · Dedication Excellency Award — Ganakalashree Mridanga Vidwan C. Chaluvaraju
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