SHANTALA SHIVALINGAPPA

Born in Madras, India, brought up in Paris, Shantala Shivalingappa is the child of east and west. She grew up in a world filled with dance and music, initiated at a tender age by her mother, dancer Savitry Nair. Deeply moved and inspired by Master Vempati Chinna Satyam’s pure and graceful style, Shantala dedicated herself to Kuchipudi, and received an intense and rigorous training from her master. Driven by a deep desire to bring Kuchipudi to the western audience, she has performed in important festivals and theatres, earning praise and admiration internationally. Since the age of thirteen, she has also had the privilege of working with some of the greatest artists of our times: Maurice Béjart, Peter Brook, Bartabas, Pina Bausch and Amagatsu. In 2013, Shantala was awarded the prestigious “Bessie” dance award in New York City for Outstanding Performance in Shiva Ganga, Today, Shantala shares her time between touring, expanding her choreographic work in the Kuchipudi style, and collaborating with various artists in the exploration of dance, music and theatre.