Bharatanatyam maestro Shanmuga Sundaram to perform at Sutra House

Distinguished Bharatanatyam artiste and educator Shanmuga Sundaram will bring more than three decades of artistic experience to Kuala Lumpur with a performance at Sutra House tomorrow (Aug 29).

Presented by Sutra Foundation as part of its KamaRia Under the Stars series, the performance will begin at 8pm at Sutra House, 12 Persiaran Titiwangsa 3, Kuala Lumpur.

A dedicated exponent of the Vazhuvoor tradition of Bharatanatyam, Shanmuga Sundaram began his formal training at the age of 21 under legendary guru K. J. Sarasa in Chennai. He continues to receive guidance from renowned guru and Padma Shri awardee Chitra Visweswaran.

An ‘A’ Grade artiste of Doordarshan, India, he has performed and conducted workshops in India and numerous countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, South Africa, Dubai, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and France.

Sutra Foundation chairman Datuk Ramli Ibrahim said the performance would offer audiences an opportunity to experience Bharatanatyam beyond technical movement.

“Bharatanatyam is not merely a vocabulary of movement. It is a lifetime of discipline, refinement and inner discovery,” he said.

Dance education and inclusion at heart of practice

Beyond the stage, Shanmuga Sundaram has devoted much of his career to education and the preservation of Bharatanatyam.

Through his dance institution, Sarasalaya, he continues to nurture young dancers while carrying forward the legacy of his guru K. J. Sarasa. He is also artistic director of Sarasa Natya Mala, an annual festival held in honour of his mentor.

His teaching work also reflects a commitment to making classical dance more inclusive. For the past five years, he has taught Bharatanatyam to members of the transgender community, creating opportunities for artistic expression, confidence and empowerment.

The Sutra Foundation said his approach demonstrates how classical Indian dance can serve not only as a means of preserving tradition but also as a vehicle for inclusion, equality and human connection.

The Aug 29 performance will therefore present Shanmuga Sundaram not only as a performer, but as an artist whose practice encompasses lineage, mentorship, education and inclusion.

Event: Shanmuga Sundaram: A Life in Bharatanatyam
Date: Aug 29, 2026
Time: 8pm
Venue: Sutra House, 12 Persiaran Titiwangsa 3, Kuala Lumpur
Entrance: Minimum donation
Enquiries: Sutra Foundation, 019-333 1092