Index

Welcome to Hindu Temple Rhythms

Sudha Aunty visited her daughter, Anjali, in Orlando, where HTR's Orlando branch performed for the opening of Disney's Kidani Village in Animal Kingdom Lodge and for the celebration of Buddha's Birthday at the Guang Ming Temple of Orlando.

Sudha Aunty assists Anjali's student, Saloni, with her hand positions before the performance at the Guang Ming Temple.

Anjali's beginner Bharata Natyam group performing the Pushpanjali at the
Guang Ming Temple.

Beginner Bharata Natyam students from classes in Orlando and Windermere

Sri Balaji Vedic Center
Mondays: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
2567 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights, MI 48310
(586) 826-8711

The Hindu Temple of Canton
Tuesdays: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
44955 Cherry Hill Road, Canton Township, MI 48188
(734) 981-8730

Gurukulam, private and semi-private classes
Wednesdays and Thursdays: 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
24611 Seneca Avenue, Oak Park, MI 48237
(248) 399-0259

AMMA Center of Michigan
Fridays: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
4301 Ann Arbor Saline Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 332-5983 or (734) 741-7086

The Bharatiya Temple
Saturdays: 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
6850 N. Adams Road, Troy, MI 48098
(248) 879-2552

class

Are you a Bharatanatyam Dancer?

Then get with the program and get a B.A. degree in Bharatanatyam Launched on Feb. 17, 2007, at The Bharatiya Temple in Troy, MI.

Alagappa Performing Arts Academy in collaboration with Alagappa University in Tamil Nadu, India, is proud to introduce for the first time in the U.S. a Bachelors of Arts degree in Bharatanatyam with a structured learning program to learn this classical art.

Salient features:
• Detailed text books for each course accompanied by interactive DVDs to enhance the learning process
• Authorized dance centers to enhance the practical techniques of Bharatanatyam
• Valuable certification from a reputed university

Course offerings:
• Certificate in Bharatanatyam – One-year program
• Associated degree in Bharatanatyam – Two-year program
• Diploma in Bharatanatyam – Three-year program
• B.A. degree in Bharatanatyam – Four-year program

Local affiliate: Hindu Temple Rhythms, Oak Park, MI.
Contact: Sudha Chandra Sekhar
(248) 399-0259 or vidyanjali@comcast.net
Visit: bharathanatyamonline.com

SUDHA'S UNSURPASSED RECOGNITION

Quoting the late Professor Dr. T.K. Venkateswaran, Professor Emeritus, Department of World Religions and History at the University of Detroit, "In 2000, Natya Veda Bharati Sudha Chandrasekhar's 60th Birthday, 'Shastiyabdhapoorthy,' was celebrated. With the twist of words, we can call it 'Natya Shastryabdhapoorthy,' as Sudha has been dancing since the very childhood years - 60 years of dancing. Some years ago, the community recognized her for her great art and admirable talent as 'Natya Veda Bharati.' She has also been an outstanding and exemplary teacher of the Bharata Natya Sastra all these years to hundreds of students and they have performed their unique and glorious Arangetrams. Today, we want to recognize and applaud her as 'Bharata Shastra Samkranthi Chudamani' - the crest jewel among the great teachers and transmitters of the Bharata Natya Shastra unsurpassed in the Sam-kranthi, the transmission of the great art. The talent and complete and successful transmission of the great art is the mark of a great artist, according to Poet Kalidasa."

AWARDS/TITLES
Among the countless awards of Recognotion, Awards of Excellence, first prizes, medals, citations,and encomiums awarded to Sudha are the following titles:

"Lifetime Achievement Award" 2004, Michigan
Dance Council and National DanceEducators Association, USA

"Jewel of Bharata Natyam" 2004, Paschima Kasi Sri Viswanatha Temple, USA

"Nritya Swarna Bhushanam" 2004, USA

"Natya Mayuri" 2004, USA

"Bharata Shastra Samkranthi Chudamani" 2000, USA

"Michigan Dance Teacher of the Year" 1989, Michigan Dance Council, USA

"Natya Veda Bharati" 1988, USA

"Dharma Ratna" 1984, Voice of the Vedas Cultural Sabha, Canada

"Natana Mani" 1964, India

"Natya Sirobhushanam" 1965, India

"Natya Kalai Arasi" 1963, India

sudha

PUBLICATIONS FEATURING SUDHA

Enakshi Bhavnani, "The Dance In India"

Alan Kamuda/Detroit Free Press, "Hands Across Michigan"

Marg Publications, 1997, "Bharata Natyam"

Moolji Bhai Shah, 1968, "Bharatiya Nari"

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Her three hour long Bharata Natya Arangetram at Bombay's famed Mahalaxmi temple in 1956, which drew hundreds of appreciative and delighted devotees.

Command Performance in Rashtrapathi Bhavan, New Delhi, for India Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and New Zealand Prime Minister Walter Nash, 1958.

First Prize at Youth Festival in New Delhi, 1958.

Government of India Scholarship for Advanced Training in Bharata Natyam, 1958-1960.

"Best Dancer of the Year" Award at St. Xavier College, 1958.

Special performance at the coronation of Bhavnagar Maharaja, 1961.

Charity performance "Deenaa Seva Sangh" presided by India President V.V. Giri in Bangalore, 1963.

First International Charity Performance at the University of Windsor, 1967.

National tour of USA and Canada with Kathak Nritya Samrat Gopi Krishna and
troupe, 1968.

Performance Tour of the Maritimes with Vidya and a live orchestra, 1975.

Vidya's Arangetram for an audience of 5,000 in Chennai in the presence of H.H. Sri Haridhos Giri ("Guruji"), 1980.

Vidya's Shanmukhananda Hall performance draws raves from the press and
public, 1981.

Presentation of a record of eight Arangetrams, Summer 1988.

Presentation of Vidya in her outstanding 48-Hour dance marathon in aid of the American Cancer Society earning her first world record for solo performance, 1989.

Dedication of 108 Hanuman Chalisas through dance at Hanuman Mandir, Jackson, N.Y., 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., April 1992.

Presentation of daughter Anjali's Arangetram in Rochester Hills, MI., 1993.

Presentation of daughter Anandini's Arangetram at The Bharatiya Temple in
Troy, MI., 1994.

Vidya beats her own solo dance world record in "72 Hours for the Heart," in aid of the American Heart Association. In all, over 400 traditional and improvised items were presented with a record number of musicians lending support. Vidya donated $10,00 to American Hear Association and the rest to the Bharatiya Temple, 1996.

"Janmotsavam," Sudha's four-hour dance performance of unique and specially-choreographed items in celebration of her 60th birthday, 2000.

Choreographer and principal dancer of a special group of guest performers in "Lakme," the French opera presented at the Detroit Opera House, 2002.

Presentation of Krithika Rajkumar as the 50th Arangetram student, 2004.

Visit to Athens, Greece, for the 20th Annual International Dance Congress,
October 2006.

Charter Member and President of the Oak Park/Royal Oak Township Optimists
Club, 2008