Renowned Bharatanatyam exponent, teacher, choreographer, writer, curator, independent researcher and dance journalist Kalashri Lata Surendra will be honoured with the prestigious Satyabhama Lifetime Achievement Award at the globally acclaimed Satyabhama Nrithyotsavam on July 12, 2026, at the Mahati Auditorium, Tirupati.
The two-day festival, scheduled for July 11–12, 2026, was initiated by legendary Kuchipudi maestro and Shobha Naidu. Over the years, Satyabhama Nrithyotsavam has earned international recognition as one of India’s most respected dance festivals, celebrating excellence in Indian classical dance and honouring artists who have made extraordinary lifetime contributions to the field.
This year’s festival will celebrate the lifetime achievements of distinguished artistes from diverse dance traditions, with Kalashri Lata Surendra being recognised for her remarkable contribution spanning more than six and a half decades. Her dedication to Bharatanatyam as a performer, mentor, scholar, researcher and arts journalist has earned her immense respect in the Indian classical dance fraternity.
Expressing her gratitude on receiving the honour, Kalashri Lata Surendra said:
“Behind every minute on stage lie thousands of hours of unseen sweat, exhaustion and silence. This award tells me that every single drop of that effort mattered. I sincerely thank the Founder of NDA, Shri B. R. Vikram Kumar Garu, the esteemed members of the Selection Committee, and the entire Nataraj Music & Dance Academy family for this recognition, which validates a life journey of over six and a half decades.”
Kerala in Mumbai extends our heartfelt congratulations to Kalashri Lata Surendra on this well-deserved honour and wishes her many more years of inspiring contributions to the world of Indian classical dance.