Vasundhara Doraswamy to Receive Excellence Award 2026

Prominent Bharatanatyam performer, choreographer, and researcher Dr Vasundhara Doraswamy will receive the Padmabhushan Guru Dr Saroja Vaidyanathan Excellence Award 2026. The Nataraj Music & Dance Academy (NMDA) will give the prize at the Vysakhi Nrithyotsav Indian Dance Festival at Visakhapatnam on September 26-27. Dr Doraswamy who is based out of Mysore, has been performing, studying, and teaching Bharatanatyam for over fifty years. She is famous for her unique work relating Bharatanatyam with Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in India as well as abroad.

Who Is Vasundhara Doraswamy?

Dr Vasundhara Doraswamy is a well-known Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and scholar hailing from Mysore. She has had a career spanning over five decades during which she performed internationally and was involved in research and teaching of Indian classical dance.

She is especially popular for her work related to Bharatanatyam and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.

Bharatanatyam & Yoga Connection

Doraswamy was trained by Pattabhi Jois, who is considered to be a celebrated yoga teacher and has undertaken doctoral studies on the connection between yoga and Bharatanatyam.

In this way, Doraswamy’s research has revealed that there could be a connection between practices in yoga and the physical training of Bharatanatyam.

It is one of the significant elements of her art and research contribution.

Choreographies and Awards

Doraswamy has choreographed several acclaimed solo performances, such as Panchali, Ganga Lahari and Sama Veda.

Her contributions in the field of Indian classical dance have been honored with various awards, including,

• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
• Shantala Award
• Honorary Citizenship of Louisville, Kentucky

Indian dance has also been represented by Doraswamy at international levels through UNESCO World Peace Conference held in Paris.

Vysakhi Nrithyotsav 2026

The award will be given out at the yearly Vysakhi Nrithyotsav event hosted by NMDA in Visakhapatnam.

The main objective of this event is to propagate the art form of Indian classical dance and pay tribute to artistes who have contributed to Indian classical dance. Doraswamy is continuing to train dancers all around the world and carrying forward her legacy of dancing to newer generations.

About Nataraj Music & Dance Academy

The Nataraj Music & Dance Academy (NMDA) was established by BR Vikram Kumar (Vikram Goud Bathina). This organization has been ISO 9001:2015 certified and is an associate of the International Dance Council, UNESCO.

This academy is working through events like Vysakhi Nrithyotsav to create a platform for Indian classical dance and honor the established artistes.