Murugashankari Leo

Murugashankari hails from a family of artistes. Her father Leo Prabu is a veteran dramatist, Television Personality and a yesteryear actor in Tamil movies who has played pivotal roles in a number of Tamil films like Rendum Rendum Anju, Naan Mahaan Alla, Annae Annae, Paer Sollum Pillai etc. He is the recipient of ‘Kalaimamani’, the highest state award by the government of Tamil Nadu for Tamil Theater. His achievements as an actor is well known in Tamil Nadu, India.

According to the Guru-Shishya Parampara Murugashankari started learning Bharatanatyam at the age of 5 from the legendary dance teacher ‘Kalaimamani’ K.J.Sarasa. Later she completed her Arangetram (debut performance) under the guidance of the illustrious teacher ‘Kalaimamani’ Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala. A chemical engineer by education, Murugashankari made the conscious decision of pursuing her passion and following her dreams of becoming a full-time artiste. She completed her Masters in Bharatanatyam from the Bharathidasan University and is now a Research scholar.

Murugashankari Leo is an accomplished Bharatanatyam artiste, teacher of Bharatantyam, theatre actor and research scholar. Bharatantyam is an ancient Indian classical dance form which is known for its beauty, grace and uniqueness. Murugashankari performs this world-renowned art form Bharatanatyam and has given many recitals across India and in other countries. She runs an institution Kalai Koodam – Academy of Performing Arts in Chennai and Madurai where training in Bharatanatyam is imparted. She is also trained in Carnatic music and Nattuvangam.

http://www.artindia.net/murugashankari.html. Website featuring leading exponents of Bharatanatyam http://features.kalaparva.com/2013/12/dance-like-thyself-murugashankari-leo.html. Interview in a Website which contains information of Indian classical dancers.