Anusha Subramanyam

Anusha Subramanyam, director of Beeja, is a dancer, choreographer, teacher and dance movement therapist. She is seen as one of the most exciting exponents of Bharatanatyam working ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ of its tradition. Her work is trans-cultural and inter-generational. Anusha has choreographed a wide range of performances and has collaborated with artists from a variety of disciplines to create work that is accessible, entertaining and challenging. Anusha is an inspiring teacher who, for the last 23 years, has focused on integrating dance, education, somatic and contemplative practices into her work. She has also trained as a Pilates teacher. Anusha has performed and taught internationally. Her passion for dance and belief that everyone can dance is at the core of Beeja ethos.

Anusha is also a dance movement therapist, specialising in working with children with autism, mental and physical disabilities.

She is the subject leader for Bharatanatyam at CAT (Centre for Advanced Training). The national South Asian CAT programme is managed by Dance XChange in partnership with Sampad, in Birmingham.

Anusha is on the board of Foundation for Community Dance (FCD). She is a committee member for Live Music Now (LMN) and core member of National Inclusive Dance Network (NIDN).

Anusha was part of the core team which set The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) bharatanatyam syllabus. Her area of focus was on safe dance practice and healthy dance body.

Anusha was awarded Asian Women Achievement Award in Culture, 2011.

She is an alumnus of Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts, where she graduated in honours in 1986. She subsequently trained under Leela Samson in Delhi. With her mother, Jaya Subramanyam, she worked children with special needs. In 1993 she studied at the Spastic Society in Delhi. In 1994 she was awarded the Dr. PN Berry and Chevening Scholarships to study Dance Movement Therapy in UK, at University of Hertford.