Karnataka Kalashri, Guru, SUPRIYA DESAI, a choreographer, dancer and teacher, par excellence, is a foremost exponent of, Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi. High levels of technical perfection in movements, visual geometry and symmetry in formations mark her highly acclaimed choreographic presentations. Supriya trained under Guru Sunanda Devi, and later on under Guru Narmada, where she specialized under the Tanjore style of Bharathanatyam. Supriya’s professional career is embellished with outstanding presentations and performances such as Festival of India in Soviet Union (1987), ICCR (1985-87), World Kannada conferences (1985, 2000, and 2002), etc. Her presentations at both the World Kannada conferences were rated the best programs for that event. She also has many outstanding productions and choreographic works. Her performance in the 1985 TV documentary "Nectar in Stone", depicting the sculptures of Belur and Halebid in dance form won a national award and was telecast in India and Europe. The 15-city USA tour with the production “Meera” was a huge success. Her two most recent productions – “Mahishasura Mardhini” and “Sri Krishna Tulabhara” received rave reviews from critics and were presented to enthusiastic sellout audiences. As a teacher, with eleven Arangetrams under the banner of her own dance school, Payal Dance Academy, she has an enviable reputation built on the high quality performances from her students, some of whom have won top prizes in regional and national level competitions. Having completed 28 years after her Arangetram and 13 years of teaching in the area, Supriya is now a well-established professional of international repute

Awards:

· “Karnataka Kalashree”, from Music and Dance Academy of Government of Karnataka, for excellence in dance, awarded in January 2003.

· “Heritage of India” award from the Hindu Society of NC for her dedication to promotion of India’s art in North Carolina. – Dec 2003

What dance critics say about Supriya…

§ “What makes one take notice of this dancer is the way she has groomed her wards in North Carolina….. her composition of dances to solo numbers that has set her apart as a teacher of worth.” - Jyothi Raghuram, February 4 2002 issue of “The HINDU”.

§ “A non-resident that is no less than the local professionals …intelligent and impressive choreography kept the audience spellbound .. very interesting way of presenting a dance-drama. I can say without hesitation a very good effort” - S. N. Chandrashekar, in January 24 issue of Bangalore Daily Kannada Prabha, on dance-drama “Sri Krishna Tulabharam” presented in Bangalore on Jan 10 2004.