Kalaimamani Bala Devi Chandrashekar  is  a true luminary in the world of Indian classical dance. Bala Devi Chandrashekar is not only a globally acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent but also a dedicated teacher, and a passionate scholar. Her artistry is defined by a unique, scholarly approach: she delves deep into  ancient texts, collaborating with leading scholars across disciplines to unearth messages from our scriptures that resonate powerfully in today’s world. 

Hailing from a distinguished lineage of philosophers and literary scholars, Bala Devi brings a rare intellectual depth to her performances. Through her dance, she interprets profound philosophical and esoteric concepts, presenting them in a style that is both rooted in classical tradition and refreshingly contemporary, appealing to audiences across cultures. The rigorous training in Bharatanatyam combined with her relentless research, has shaped her into the artist she is today.

Bala Devi’s contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including:

• The Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu

• Natya Choodamani from Andhra Pradesh Govt.

• Nritya Seva Mani from Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam

• Natya Kala Bharathi from Thanjavur

• Vishwa Kalabharathi from Vizag

• Kala Rathna from Varanasi

• Bharatha Kala Vani, Thalaikkoli, Drishti Puraskar, and many more.

She stands among a select few Bharatanatyam artists worldwide to have released eleven critically acclaimed productions, such as:

• Nandanar Charithram

• KrishnaArpanam

• MLV favorites

• Uddhava Gita: Lord Krishna’s Last Message

• Vishwam: The Omnipresent

• Tripura – Divine Feminine

• Karna: Destiny’s Child

• Brihadeeswara: Form to Formless

• Padmavati – An Avatar

• MAA – The Eternal Truth

• An Ode to the Tanjore Quartet

Bala Devi has performed at prestigious venues across India, the United States, Europe, the Far East, South America, and the Middle East, with over 300 concerts in 37 countries. Notably, her production “Brihadeeswara: Form to Formless through the Eyes of a Devaradiyal,” based on the 1,000-year-old Brihadeeswara temple, was presented at UNESCO headquarters in Paris and received international acclaim.  In 2024, she was featured at the Paris Olympics, further cementing her global stature.

As Artistic Director of the SPNAPA Academy of Performing Arts, Bala Devi is a driving force for cultural preservation and exchange. Under her leadership, SPNAPA fosters the presentation and study of South Asian performing arts, with a primary focus on Indian classical dance. She has collaborated with universities such as Princeton, Rutgers, Columbia, Cambridge, Mount Holyoke, Vassar, and more, serving as an Artist in Residence at Princeton University and currently as an Associate Visiting Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania. 

SPNAPA operates centers in Princeton, Edison, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Cochin, India, and a Global online presence. Bala Devi Chandrashekar teaches students online to a global audience, continuing to inspire and nurture a new generation. Through her tireless work, Bala Devi Chandrashekar continues to  educate, and elevate audiences around the world, bringing the timeless beauty and wisdom of Bharatanatyam to the contemporary stage.