Rajeswari Sainath

Rajeswari Sainath, an outstanding Bharatanatyam dancer, has been performing for the last 45 years and has grip over the laya and her repertoire combines traditionalism with experimentation. With a wide range of performances in India, North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Far East and other Asian countries, Rajeswari was the first to conceive a Medical dance ballet. It revolved on Neurobiology of dance – connecting mind and body with regard to neural circuits modulating through dance.

A ‘A-top’ graded artiste by the Doordarshan Kendra, Chennai, Rajeswari has broken new ground in inter-weaving of two abstract worlds of pure mathematics and dance. As a result of this, she has been conferred her doctoral degree in mathematics aspects in dance – LAYA. 

Collaborating closely over the past 20 years, with Guru and percussion legend of South India, Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani, Rajeswari has for the first time in the history of Bharatanatyam performed Varnams in unusual thalams (rhythms) and nadais (rhythmic patterns) which have been highly acclaimed by connoisseurs around the globe. Her innovations include Varnams in rare thalas – Kanda Jathi Triputa Thalam – Krishna; Adi Thala Kanda Nadai – Shiva, Vishnu; Tisra Triputa Thalam (3 kalais) – Five Elements; Trimurthi on the concept of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and Cosmic mythology – about Universe.

As a Choreographer, Rajeswari has choreographed and performed on diverse themes in an array of languages. Some of the prominent ballets are – Nava Durga Charitham – Nine forms of Goddess Devi in Telugu; Gita Upadesham – Sanskrit; Shakuntala Prema Kavya – The famous epic of Kalidasa in Sanskrit; Krishna Darshan – A ballet in Hindi; Pancha Bhoota Kshetram – Tamil, Panduranga – Abhangs in Marathi; Menaka, Ahalya, Gandhari – in English.

On social issues, the dance expert has done a Telugu ballet titled Swadhesheeyam – highlighting the weaver community (handloom); Organ donation – creating an awareness; Prakriti – conserving the environment and Peace on earth – woman empowerment. She has conducted many lec-dems across the city, nation and globe. Rajeswari is the only Indian Artiste to perform solo Bharatanatyam at the Sydney Opera House Main concert hall at Tedx Sydney 2013. She also toured with aboriginal musician in Australia to remote places of Western Australia combining Indian dance with indigenous Australian music. She has also performed to live jazz orchestra, collaborating with the Australian Art Orchestra to perform “Into the Fire” at the Melbourne Festival, blending Indian traditional dance to western music.

A receiver of many awards from State Governments and Sabhas like Natya Illavarasi, Nritya Choodamani, Vikas Siromani, Rajeswari Sainath was recognized as one of the top 30 women achievers of India by a media house in April 2005.

As Director of “Sruthi Laya Kendra Natarajaalaya”, an institute for performing arts, founded by percussion legend Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani, with its national centers in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and international centers in London, Australia, USA, many students are being trained in different art forms in these centres.