Shantala Shivalingappa – Paris-based Kuchipudi dancer

Shantala Shivalingappa is a young Kuchipudi dancer born in Chennai and raised in Paris. She is a promising artist belonging to present generation. She played the character Solveig in Irina Brook’s Peer Gynt, which brought her international acclaim. She has also collaborated with several international artists for live concerts, and is currently Paris-based.

Shantala Shivalingappa was born in Chennai and brought up in Paris. Her mother Savitry Nair, a former student of Kalakshetra trained her in Bharatnatyam since the age of 7. Later she received advanced training from renowned artist Vempati Chinna Satyam. Her real training began during her holidays in India, though she didn’t want to become a dancer then. She studied at international Jeannine Manuel School.

At the age of 15 she performed with her mother for one of the dance pieces choreographed by her and grew interest in this art form. German choreographer Pina Bausch brought her before American audiences in 2008 for his Indian inspired modern-dance production “Bamboo Blues”, and she stole everyone’s hearts. She has participated in Maximum India festival in Washington’s Kennedy Center and many other shows.

Shantala Shivalingappa – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. She has worked with Maurice Bejart, Peter Brook, Bartabas, Ushio Amagatsu, and Pina Bausch for live performances.

2. She has done contemporary solos on stage choreographed by famous Japanese choreographer Ushio Amagatsu and her mother.

3. Both her parents were already established in Paris, and they brought her to French capital where she was a few months old.

4. Her mother is a famous choreographer and dance teacher who teaches at Paris, Brussels etc.