Shoba's dance is the perfect fusion of 'music, movement, and mine."
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Shoba performing her Bharatanatyam arangEtram at the age of 8
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Shoba with her Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam and his wife during her Kuchipudi dance tour (USA)


​Shoba Natarajan

Shoba Natarajan is one of the foremost exponents of two classical dance styles of India - Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. Shoba commenced her artistic journey at the age of five under the legendary dancer, Padma Bhushan Kamala. She gave her first formal stage performance at the age of eight and continued her tutelage with the reputed guru, Kalaimamani S. K. Rajaratnam.

​Fascinated by Kuchipudi, Shoba came under the influence of the world-renowned, Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam and is today one of the leading exponents of this style.

Shoba is an acclaimed artiste who epitomizes the beauty and the significance of classical Indian dance. She is renowned for the spiritual depth, emotive range, sensitivity, and classical purity of her dance. Her unsurpassed skill in abhinaya (expressive dance), flawless sense of rhythm, mastery of form and footwork, and impeccable grace make her dance the perfect fusion of 'music, movement and mime.'

Audiences worldwide have been deeply moved by the poetic charm of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi through Shoba's sophisticated and richly layered interpretations.

​Shoba has performed the lead role in several of Dr. Chinna Satyam's productions, and is best known for her stirring portrayal of Srinivasa in 'Srinivasa Kalyanam.' Shoba has played an active and important role in popularizing Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam around the world. In 1984, she became the first Kuchipudi dancer to tour the Soviet Union. She has also undertaken several dance tours of India, the United States, Russia, Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America. 
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Shoba receiving the prestigious 'NadanamAmani' award. Her Bharatanatyam Guru Sri S.K. Rajaratnam is also in the picture.
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Shoba with her Bharatanatyam Guru Sri S.K. Rajaratnam

Education & Accomplishments
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During the filming of the documentary 'Shoba Natarajan - a dance marvel'
  • M.A. Bharatanatyam, Madras University, Chennai
  • M.A. Economics, Madras University, Chennai
  • Advanced diploma in Carnatic vocal music from the Music Academy, Chennai
  • Reseach scholar in the 'Tamil heritage of dance music' at Annamalai University, Tamilnadu
  • Recipient of numerous prestigious awards, performance grants and artist fellowships
  • Co-founder of ‘Nritya Ranga’, a dance cooperative in Chennai, India, that has promoted and nurtured young dance talent since 1978.
  • Founder and Artistic director of the Samskriti Foundation in Chicago, Illinois (USA)

Awards & Honors

  • ​‘Presidential Best Teacher Award’ for Indian Dance (Kuchipudi) - awarded by the US President George Bush & first lady Laura Bush (Shoba is only teacher of Indian dance to have received this award to date)
  • 'Natyashree' award from Mitrahs, New Jersey, for her outstanding contribution to Indian classical dance in the United States
  • ‘Nadanamamani’ - Karthik Fine Arts
  • ‘Yuva Kala Bharati’ - Bharat Kalachar
  • ‘Top Artist’ Grade - Indian National Television (at age 16)
  • Empaneled Artist - Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR)
  • Choreographers Fellowship - Durham Arts Council
  • Master Artist Award – North Carolina Arts Council
  • Master Artist Award - Illinois Arts Council (7 time recipient)
  • Artists Fellowship - Illinois Arts Council (2 time recipient)
  • Arts Finalist Award - Illinois Arts Council (multiple times)
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The proud teacher, Shoba and her award-winning student Uma with First Lady Laura Bush at the Presidential Arts Scholars Award Ceremony
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At the Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City

Shoba Natarajan wins the prestigious 'Natyashree' award for her outstanding contribution to Indian classical dance in the United States

A chance to connect with Brazil....

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 Shoba has had the wonderful  opportunity and privilege to present both Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam to audiences in Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 2016. She conducted a Kuchipudi workshop which was very well received by the Brazilians. In addition, she also presented a lecture-demonstration on 'The essence and aesthetics of Bharatanatyam' to the spell-bound audience. 
gAyiyE gaNapathi - Kuchipudi performance by Shoba's students who attended her workshop in Sao Paulo.
© Samskriti Foundation 2025
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