About the Guru

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Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Shetty established Natraj Dance Academy in 1983 and did her Bharatanatyam training under P. G. Chellapa of Chennai and K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai and his daughter Uma Dandayudhapani Pillai. She teaches and choreographs dances in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam and Odissi styles of dancing. With over 40 years of teaching experience, she has taught several thousand students in the Chicagoland area. Mrs. Shetty is dedicated to promoting these classical Indian dance styles by keeping the strict traditions of these ancient arts.