26+
Years of Experience
1
Followers
About
Sumana Sen Mandala is an accomplished Indian classical dancer, educator, choreographer, and researcher, primarily known for her work in Bharatanatyam and Bharata Nrityam. Her journey in dance began in the United States after moving from India at the age of ten, leading to her arangetram (debut) in 1989 in Arizona, where she trained under Smt. Manjula…
Journey Timeline
1989
Arangetram (debut) — Performed in Arizona as a student of the Pandanallur school of Bharata-Natyam.
1994
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in French and Economics — Graduated from the University of Virginia.
1994-1996
Study and performance of Kagura — Studied with the Hokkaido Shrine Troupe in Sapporo, Japan.
1996
Began training under Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam — Sought guidance at Nrithyodaya, Chennai, India.
1996-1999
Completed pedagogy course and full-time training — Trained in Bharata Nrityam under Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam.
1999
Debut performance under Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam — Performed at Nungambakkam Cultural Academy in January.
2000
Founded Dansense~Nrtyabodha, Inc. — Began teaching classical Indian dance in the US.
2015
Dansense~Nrtyabodha registered as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization — Began teaching classical Indian dance in Phoenix, Arizona.
2020
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Dance — Earned from Arizona State University.
2024
Received Katherine Lindholm-Lane Award for Arizona Dance Educator of the Year
2025
Received Liz Lerman LLC Artist-in-Residence Award
2026
Received Arizona Commission on the Arts Lifelong Arts Engagement Award
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
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Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 2024 · Katherine Lindholm-Lane Award for Arizona Dance Educator of the Year
- 2025 · Liz Lerman LLC Artist-in-Residence Award — Liz Lerman LLC
- 2026 · Arizona Commission on the Arts Lifelong Arts Engagement Award — Arizona Commission on the Arts
- 2024 · Arts & Democracy Fellow — Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at Arizona State University
- 2024 · Scholarship Award to attend 2024 API-GBV National Summit
- 2019 · ASU Sexual and Relationship Violence Prevention Grant via Changemaker Community Action Grant — Arizona State University
- 2020 · Graduate College Travel Award
Media Coverage
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