Swapna Sundari Biography 
Swapna Sundari is an exponent of Kuchipudi and Bharata Natyam. She also earned fame as a successful choreographer and a vocalist. She was born in Chennai, and later she lived in Andhra Pradesh and Delhi. She authored one book on dance - Vilasini natyam: Bharatam of Telugu temple and court dancers. Janmabhoomi Meri Pyaari is one of her major albums. Government of India honoured her with Padma Bhushan in 2003. Sahitya Kala Parishad and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award are other major honours received by her. She conducted extensive research work on dying dance forms of Andhra temple traditions, and reconstructed a new dance genre, Vilasini Natyam.
Swapna Sundari was born in Chennai. She was greatly influenced by her grandmother who persuaded her to learn dance. She was introduced to the world of Bharathnatyam and Kuchipudi at the age of 9. Later she moved with her family to Vishakapatnam and trained under Pasumarthi Seetharamaiah. When her father was posted to Delhi, Swapnasundari resumed her training under her own guru Seetharamaiah, who too had moved to the same place. When renowned dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy backed out of a classical performance at the last moment, she got opportunity to perform on stage for the first time. Thus she got opportunity to perform at the age of 15 before audience.
She is the first Indian dancer who focuses not just on presentation but also on the musical and academic aspect of the art. That’s why she earned a cult classic status in the field of art. Though she is best known as an exponent of Kuchipudi, Swapnasundari is equally adept at Bharatnatyam and Vilasini Natyam. Many of ancient poetry come alive with her music and dance.
Swapna Sundari is perhaps the youngest recipient of `Padma Bhushan' in recognition of her research efforts on ancient dance forms and in revival of the long lost dance art forms, practiced by women artistes of east and west Godavari districts. She practises Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam, and her creativity in abhinaya never crossed the limit – one of the major plus points of her dance dramas. Her book - The World of Koochipoodi Dance is one of the most comprehensive encyclopaedias on this dance form, which explores the efforts to revive the traditional dance along with myths and legends.
Published: September 29, 2018
Updated: September 29, 2018
