Sarasa Natya Academy
Guru Kalaimamani Smt K.J. Sarasa
Guru Kalaimamani Smt K.J. Sarasa is the first lady nattuvanar and eminent Bharatanatyam exponent hailing from the family of legendary Padmasri Sri K.N. Dhandayuthapani Pillai and disciple of Doyen Sri Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai. K.J. Sarasa has been in the field of Bharatanatyam for more than five decades having trained numerous disciples of her dance institution 'Sarasalaya'. Smt K.J. Sarasa has to her credit many awards and titles, the most important being "Swarnakalasam" award at Kalidasa Festival in Ujjain in 1966 and 1969.
She has also received "Kalaimamani" and "Natya Selvam" awards from the Government of TamilNadu. The other awards to her credit include "Sangeetha Natak Academy Award" for best Bharatanatyam teacher and 'T T K Award, Best Natya Acharya. Natya Rathna, Bharata Kalacharya' 'Nrithya Rathna', 'Natya Kala Chakravarthini', and 'Natya Kala Rathna'. Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam conferred on her the title "Nrithya Sitssha Kalamani" in August 2000.
Guru K.J. Sarasa has conducted numerous dance programmes in several countries around the world and has carved out a name for herself as a great Bharatanatyam exponent. Her graceful execution of technically perfect dance movements along with a vivid and soulful exposition of abhinaya have gone in to making her one of the most outstanding teacher of Bharatanatyam. Recently she got the prestigious title "Natya Kala Shikhamani" conferred by Indian Fine Arts Society for the year 2002. Smt K.J. Sarasa has presented more than 1000 Arangetrams and more than 2000 programmes so far.
She is a highly acclaimed choreographer and has tremendous control over rhythm. Her students consider it a privilege to be tutored by her. She is a perfectionist and believes greatly in combining aesthetic beauty and the scientific aspects of Bharatnatyam in developing her students. She moulded her students not only as qualified performers, but also as future choreographers and teachers. Her graceful execution of technically perfect dance movements along with a vivid and soulful exposition of abhinaya have gone into making her one of the most outstanding teachers of Bharatanatyam.
Preethi's Guru's Guru:
Padmashri Natyakala Kesari Vazhuvur Ramiah Pillai came from a family of artists who nurtured and popularized the art of Bharatnatyam among kings and commons.
Guru Vazhuvur Ramiah Pillai was one of most renowned teachers ever remembered for his style in the field of Bharatnatyam.Senior teachers such as Guru K J Sarasa, Guru Rajaratnam Pillai, is among the very few dancers among her peers to have had the extraordinary opportunity of being the direct disciple of this legendary master and having trained from him extensively. They created a legend in the field of Bharatnatyam and created students who are famous professional dancers spread all over the world.
The Vazhuvur Bani or style is highly graceful and rich in rhythm. It is packed with sculpture-like movements bringing the walls and pillars of the South Indian temples alive.
