Founder of Natyanjali Kuchipudi

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Srilatha Suri is an exemplary, dynamic, outstanding community leader, a role model, and a mentor well-known and recognized for her unique contributions to the public and community service through distinct contributions through performing arts for over 33 years, inclusive of 18 years in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex Asian-Indian community, USA and India.

Srilatha is a naturalized US citizen who migrated to the USA in 1998, and holds degrees from Natya Visharada and B.Sc. She is passionate, a keen lover and promoter of Indian arts and culture, and an exceptional teacher dedicated to training Indian dancing art (Kuchupudi dance or ballet) among youth. She had given up her coveted Central Govt (Income Tax) job to pursue this dance career, with the aim of promoting this ancient art form.

Srilatha Suri has promoted and facilitated numerous performances in the presence of dignitaries and a variety of audiences to showcase Indian Classical Dances and gained admiration and appreciation. She is a true, one-of-a-kind cultural ambassador, representing the uniqueness of Asian-Indian cultures to the community at large. So far, she has given about 500+ solo and group performances in the USA, Europe and India.

Her notable performances have encouraged and given opportunities to many artists to excel in music, flute, violin, tabla and other instruments.

Srilatha has been a trend-setter by using classical dance forms as a means to raise funds for noble causes.

Srilatha Suri is also known for specializing in Conceptualizing, Directing and Performing classical & traditional themes using Kuchipudi art forms and demonstrating quality performance. Please visit www.natyanjalius.com for more information and her achievements.

Srilatha’s significant contributions to the Indian community and community-at-large through her dedication, focus on perfection and quality goals, and civic leadership have made a noteworthy impact on youth, developing their self-esteem, focus on discipline, listening, and physicals skills, creating wholehearted interest among them and achievements in dance performances like Arangetram (Graduation).

Srilatha’s students have achieved excellence in dancing skills, which paved their way to success in education, academia and leadership. Incidentally, many of her students are pursuing professional education in the medical field to the acclaim of their parents wishes, who are indebted to Srilatha’s role and contribution towards childrens’ accomplishments. Several of her students have graduated with distinction and got into prestigious medical colleges and other Ivy League schools.

Srilatha has been received many awards and titles for her achievements.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
Srilatha has passionately given about 500+ performances and mentored about 300+ students, sculpting them into ‘The Dancer’ by creating an identity while imparting the correct traditional art of dancing methods and values. Several of her students have achieved outstanding national and International Recognition!

With Srilatha’s motivation and support, the Students of Natyanjali had the opportunity to participate in the International Kuchipudi convention and were also a part of a new world record in the Guinness World Records.

Srilatha Suri had conceptualized, scripted, choreographed and directed ‘Meera’ a Kuchipudi Dance Drama, a living legend and an historical epic story and Shiva Ganga in California, USA, as a fundraiser for Silionandhra.

Her passion for this Kuchipudi art and her promotional aspects and efforts were recognized by Andhra Pradesh Govt Cultural Department Minister Shri Vatte Vasanth Kumar and presented with a recognition award in 2010.

Srilatha Suri had performed in TTD Nadaneerjanam with blessings from Padmasri Dr. Sobha Naidu.

Srilatha Suri had conceptualized, scripted, choreographed, directed, and sponsored the TANTEX inaugural theme song.

Srilatha Suri imparts Natya vedam and Natya Shastra to her students.

Srilatha Suri had organized Natya Shastra workshops (one of its kind and for the first time) for DFW teachers and students of all art forms (Kuchipudi and Bharata Natyam, etc.).

Srilatha Suri has been identifying local talent and giving them an opportunity at Natyanjali events

  • Trendsetter:
  • Using Indian culture in the form of performing arts through classical dance: This approach has helped several students and parents follow cultural paths in a diversified society but create an identity.
  • Pioneered Dance Workshop concept: This approach helped students learn and fine-tune their skills and helped artists from Indian gain their livelihood. This trend has been followed by many dance shools in the USA and India, and it has also been followed by other performing art forms as well.
  • Pioneered and initiated Natya Shastra workshop concept: This extraordinary concept and approach helped students learn the core details and origin of this ancient art form. This trend is being followed by several dance schools in the USA.
  • Costumes and Jewelry: Srilatha's uniqueness in the presentation of dance ballets is in portraying originality.

Fundraising

  • For noble causes and performing arts, Srilatha Suri’s dance school, Natyanjalius.com, is a strong supporter of the community and has supported several nonprofit organizations by conducting/organizing events, presenting Kuchipudi Dance dramas (Ballets), and also group performances.
  • Srilatha Suri is also the Cultural coordinator for the Dallas Chapter of Yuva Bharathi, a non-profit organization that promotes up-and-coming artists.
  • She has been recognized by the AP State Cultural Council and Department of Culture for her propagation of Kuchipudi in the USA.
  1. Silicon Andhra for Promotion of Kuchipudi Art
  2. Kuchipudi Convention
  3. Vibha for the Tsunami Victims in 2005,
  4. For Hurricane Katrina Victims
  5. The Make-A-Wish Foundation to Raise Funds for Cancer Patients
  6. The AP Flood Relief
  7. Vidyadanam to Raise Funds for Chatralayas
  8. Asha Jyothi to Raise Funds for Elderly Poor
  9. Sankara Eye Foundation
  10. Sankalpa
  11. Karuna

Media

  • TV9, TV5, DesiPlaza (Desiplaza had chosen Srilatha Suri to inaugurate their Internet TV channel and interviewed her first).
  • AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS:
  • Srilatha is the recipient of several awards and titles from various institutions, governments, etc.,
  • ‘Appreciation Award’ (2012): Awarded by well-known movie actor, Padmabhushan Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao for her contribution and service to Kuchipudi art and social service.
  • ‘TANA Recognition Award’ (2012), awarded by TANA President Mr. Prasad Thotakura for her contribution to the arts, promoting culture and social service.
  • ‘Natya Kala Choodamani’ (2012).
  • ‘Acharya Siromani’ (2011): Performed for Sanatana Dharma for a fundraiser to construct Chatralayas for poor students in India.
  • ‘Natya Kalapraporna’ (2011): A temple fundraiser for promoting culture, contribution, and dedication to performing arts.
  • ‘Recognition Award’ (2010) - State Cultural Council & Dept. of Culture, AP, India.
  • ‘Natya Mayuri’ (2009): For the TANTEX & TANA joint venture for the AP Flud Relief Fund, Garland Mayor presented this award for her contribution to arts, culture, and social service: http://www.narthaki.com/info/rev09/rev815.html.
  • ‘Special Recognition Award’ (2008) - Kuchipudi convention.
  • ‘Special recognition award’ (2005).
  • ‘Nritya Bharathi’ (2002): Silicon Andhra, presented by the Mayor of Cupertino for her contribution to promoting Kuchipudi.
  • ‘Natyavisharada’ (1984): A professional degree to practice Kuchipudi art and perform, presented by Padmashree Dr. Sobha Naidu.
  • Diploma in ‘Bharathnatyam’ (1980)— Awarded by the Andhra Pradesh Government, India.
  • Out Standing Community Services:
  • Manabadi : Srilatha Suri had created an event in Dallas to promote Manabadi (teaching Telugu to USA Children) by Silicon Andhra. She had raised funds to set up, promoted and made efforts to raise awareness among telugu community, which had been considered one of her outstanding achievements.
  • Award from Mayor Cupertino, CA: Srilatha Suri conceptualized, scripted, directed, took the lead role and acted in ‘Shiva Ganga’ Dance Drama at California, a fundraiser event organized by Silicon Andhra to promote Kuchipudi. This dance ballet's main aim is to depict how the precious water resource ‘River Ganges’ has been contaminated. Her contribution and passion for the art and culture had won the appreciation of the Mayor of Cupertino, and he awarded her ‘Nritya Bharathi.’
  • Award from the Mayor of Garland, TX: Srilatha Suri had conceptualized, scripted, choreographed, directed and took the lead role as ‘Meera’. This ballet depicts an artist's devotion to the Lord, a 15th-century real story of India. The event was organized by TANA & TANTEX together to raise funds for AP flood relief. This attracted the attention of Garland Mayor, and he awarded her ‘ Natya Mayuri’. She had custom-designed costumes and jewelry, making them exact replicas of 15th-century costumes and jewelry to make them authentic.

Organizational Affiliations

TANA, ATA, NATA, NATS
Echoes Of India, TANTEX, Divine Spark, Vibha, Shanka Eye Foundation, Sanatana Dharma,
OTHERS: Yuva Bharathi

A Few Notable Video Clips