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About
Sonia Chandaria-Tillu is a Kathak dancer, choreographer, and educator, known for her classical and contemporary interpretations of the Indian classical dance form. Born and raised in Kenya, she began her dance journey at a young age, starting with ballet at 2.5 years old and later exploring Indian folk, Bollywood, and classical dance at Shivam Performing…
Journey Timeline
Began ballet training — At approximately 2.5 years old in Kenya under Jean Hughes.
Began Indian folk, Bollywood, and classical dance — Four years after starting ballet, at Shivam Performing Arts.
Debut solo Indian dance performance — At age 13 at the Bandari Auditorium in Kenya, choreographed by Bharti Pathak.
2004
Moved to the UK — On a Mathematics scholarship to study the International Baccalaureate at Sevenoaks School.
Won London Regional Final of Boogie Woogie Dance Competition — During a gap year.
Trained as an actress — At Anupam Kher's Acting School in Mumbai during a gap year.
2007
Began undergraduate degree — Human Sciences (BA Hons) from the University of Oxford (completed 2010).
2010
Began formal Kathak training — With Guru Sujata Banerjee.
2015
Awarded UK National Milapfest Yuva Nritya Runner Up Scholarship
2016
London debut of solo classical Kathak — Presented at the Rich Mix Theatre as part of Akademi's NAVODIT programme.
2017
Won European Regional category at Kalashram Kathak Competition — Judged by Pandit Birju Maharaj, Saswati Sen, Mira Kaushik, and Pratap Pawar.
2017
Performed trio of solo works — Choreographed by Sujata Banerjee at the NCPA Theatre, Mumbai.
2018
Founded Sona Lisa Dance Company — Based in Birmingham, England.
2018
Accepted role as Trustee — On the Board of UK Young Artists.
2018
Performed at Hemantika Kathak Festival — A duet with BBC Young Dancer South Asian Category Winner 2017 Shyam Dattani.
2018
Performed Kathak interpretation of Riverdance — At the Inspire Women's Awards at Reebok/Macron stadium in Bolton.
2019
Premiered SLDC's 'Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen' — At The Offbeat Festival in Oxford, including pieces like 'Ashtamangal' and 'thirTEEN'.
2019
Artist in Residence — At the Artsdepot (Finchley, London).
2019
Commenced work on new piece — Commissioned by Dance Hub Birmingham.
2019
Performed 'Breaking Ground' — At Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester.
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
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Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 2017 · European Regional Winner, Kalashram Kathak Competition — Kalashram (Pandit Birju Maharaj's Indian Institute of Kathak)
- 2015 · UK National Milapfest Yuva Nritya Runner Up Scholarship — Milapfest
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