Sundari K. Shridharani

Sundari K. Shridharani (6 April 1925 – 7 April 2012) was the founder and director of Triveni Kala Sangam, a multi-arts institution, which she established in 1950.

Sundari K. Shridharani
Born(1925-04-06)6 April 1925
Hyderabad, Sindh
Died7 April 2012(2012-04-07) (aged 87)
New Delhi
NationalityIndian
Known forTriveni Kala Sangam
SpouseKrishnalal Shridharani

Early life and background

Born in Hyderabad, Sindh, in undivided India, Shridharani started learning dance while at Santiniketan, thereafter she joined the Uday Shankar at Indian Cultural Centre, at Almora, where she trained in Kathakali under Guru Shankaran Namboodiri and in Manipuri dance under Guru Amubi Singh. Subsequently, she joined Ginner Mawer School of Dance and Drama, London, where she learnt Greek dance.[1][2] She married Krishnalal Shridharani (1911 – 1960), a poet, playwright and journalist.

Career
Main entrance of Triveni Kala Sangam and Shridharani Art Gallery facade on the left.

In 1947, she performed at the first International Youth Festival in Prague, and in the 1950s, she received a Fulbright Fellowship and also of the University of California, Los Angeles, through which travelled across several universities in US, giving lecture-demonstrations of Indian dances.[1]

She moved to Delhi after her marriage, and in 1950 started Triveni Kal Sangam. It started in one room and terrace above a Coffee House in Connaught Place, Delhi, with two students under noted artist K. S. Kulkarni. Soon her efforts got noticed, and Pandit Nehru allotted her the half acre land for the institution. Gradually, she organized a small group of people, started organizing concerts, and collecting funds. Finally construction began around 1957 and eventually on 3 March 1963, the present building was inaugurated.[3]

She lived within the premises of Triveni, and died on 7 April 2012 in New Delhi, at the age of 93. She was survived by her daughter Kavita Shridharani and son Amar Shridharani who is the General Secretary of Triveni.[4]

Awards and recognition

She was awarded the Padma Shri by Government of India in 1992,[5] in 2011 she was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her overall contribution to the performing arts, which was awarded posthumously.[6]

References
  1. "Smt Sundari Krishnalal Shridharani". Sangeet Natak Akademi. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  2. "Prima donna". The Tribune. 3 September 2000. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  3. "Art of aesthetics". The Hindu. 28 August 2010.
  4. Anjana Rajan (20 April 2012). "Keeper of the shrine". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  5. "Padma Awards Directory (1954-2009)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 May 2013.
  6. "SNA: List of Akademi Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi Official website. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015.
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