About The School and Guru
Guru — "KalaShree" Sukanya Mahadevan
School — Shishya School of Performing Arts
Bharatanatyam, an ancient Indian dance form that dates back 2000 years ago is still thriving all over the world because of artists like guru Sukanya Mahadevan. Sukanya, a prominent performer, teacher and choreographer, is the founder and artistic director of Shishya School of Performing Arts in New Jersey and has won many awards and accolades in this field. The school under her leadership is in its 20th successful year of teaching and performing in the tristate area.
She has taught and performed at local Indian and American events and continues representing the Indian artist diaspora in local NJ events such as the ones for the TCNJ Arts Festival, the Dept of Transportation and Labor, US immigration offices and Mercer County Heritage Festival. Currently a visiting faculty at Rider University's world dance program, she has performed with her students on several world stages such as the Chennai dance festival, Carnegie Hall International dance festival, Rome International summer stages, the New York Fashion Week, Paris Disney performing Arts music festival and Trenton Thunder baseball game and Mercer Teen Arts Festival.
Besides conducting 'Arangetrams' (solo dance recitals for students), she has many unique choreographies under her belt such as the full-length dance drama based on Jungle Book, research and dance presentation of the five cosmic elements of Shiva, union of poetry and dance etc. Having won many visionary and humanitarian awards, including the 'Kalashree' title from Ganesa Natyalaya in New Delhi and 'Saraswati award' from Vipanchee Natyalaya in Chennai, she is a newly inducted Performing Arts Educators Fellow and the treasurer at the executive board of trustees at Dance New Jersey. Last year she was awarded the 'Outstanding Dance Studio Leadership Award' by NDEO. Shishya School is an NHSDA chapter here in the US and has partnered with NIICD in India to award diplomas to advance students. This spring advanced students will be performing at the very coveted Iyengar Yoga convention in Philadelphia and this summer, adult performers from the school will be led by Guru Sukanya to Portugal for yet another summer stages festival.
Her students are not only taught dance, but also to use their craft for social awareness and justice and follow the 'Art for Humanity' motto. A proud immigrant from India, a country of rich heritage and traditions, Sukanya has embraced being an American and a New-Jersey resident to the fullest by not only adopting American values but also through her art, celebrating the diversity in our country. Last year she and her students auditioned and got accepted to the following prestigious performances:
- Show up And Dance professional category
- Montclair Dance Festival
- Paris Disney Performing Arts Music Festival
You can learn more at www.shishya-arts.com.
Instagram — shishya_dance
Facebook — ShishyaSchool
School and teacher contact — 609-841-3244, shishya.arts@gmail.com
