Sandhya Purecha

Sandhya Purecha is a senior Bharatanatyam exponent, Author and renowned practitioner of Indian classical dance. She is the first person to bring on stage the performance in Bharatnatyam style of the entire Abhinaya Darpan dance treatise as defined by Nandikeshwara in Abhinaya Darpan and as choreographed by her Guru Parvati Kumar. Purecha has researched on Kalasa Karana and published it in 2010.

She was bestowed with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2017 for Overall Contribution to Performing Arts.

Purecha is the Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi and Chairperson of W20 Engagement Group of G20 India 2023.

Sandhya Purecha is the member of Board of Trustees of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. She represents Government Teachers’ Training Programme at Natyashala on "Rasa" theory since 1994. She was member of prestigious indian padam awards committee 2023.

Education Purecha has a PHD (doctorate) in Natya Shastra. Her topic was Natyashastra Theory and Practice of Angikabhinaya in Bharatanatyam.

Books Dr. Sandhya Purecha is the renowned author of scholarly books on dance based on her profound research: Abhinayalakshanam - Manuscript on Karanas from Natyshastra translated into English, Hindi and Marathi with critical notes Vol. I Translation of Bharata's Natyashastra (languages: Marathi and Gujarati) Research Commission & Publisher: Ashtadashi Project of Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi, 2025 Natyashastra Vol II - Marathi translation of the treatise with Padadccheda and Anvaya ; Publisher: Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya and Sanskruti Mandal, Govt. of Maharashtra, Mumbai 2022 Natyashastra Vol I - Gujarati translation of the treatise with Padadccheda and Anvaya ; Publisher: University Grantha Nirman Board, Govt. of Gujarat, Mumbai 2018 Natyashastra Vol I - Marathi translation of the treatise with Padadccheda and Anvaya ; Publisher: Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya and Sanskruti Mandal, Govt. of Maharashtra, Mumbai 2016 “Prerana” – An Anthology of Articles Penned by Dr. Sandhya Purecha ;Publisher: Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek, Nagpur Silver Jubilee Celebration Issue, 2022 “Kalasa Karanas & Sthanaka-Mandala Bheda” from Kumbharaja's Nritya Ratna Kosh ; Publisher: BhartiyaVidyaBhavan, Mumbai 2010 “Acharya Parvatikumar – Nrityaditya” A Compilation of Life-Sketches of Acharya Parvatikumar Publisher: Sarfojiraje Bhosale Centre's Publication House, Mumbai 2010 “Nrityawishkara” ;Publisher: Sarfojiraje Bhosale Centre's Publication House, Mumbai 2009 “Nrityadhyaya of Sangita Darpanam of Chatura Damodara” ; Publisher: Sarfojiraje Bhosale Centre's Publication House, Mumbai 2008 “Theory & Practice of Angikabhinaya” in Bharatanatyam ; Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai 2003 Translation of Chapter 7 – Nrityadhyaya of Chatura Damodara's Sangita Darpanam, Acharya Parvati Kumar Kalasa Karana 2010

Presidential Award and Sate Awards Dr. Sandhya Purecha has been presented with numerous awards of appreciation and honors for her constant efforts towards classical dance and her lifetime devotion in the field of arts. List of a few of her distinctive honours: In 2024 “Kalidas Samman Puraskar” by Govt. of Madhya Pradesh In 2019 “Academic Excellence Award” presented to Bharata College of Fine Arts & Culture under the Principalship and guidance of Dr. Sandhya Purecha by the Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University-Ramtek- Nagpur In 2017 Conferred with “SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI Award” for Overall Contribution in the Field of Dance by Sangeet Natak Akademi, Ministry of Culture, New Delhi In 2016 “Hirkani Award” by Doordarshan Kendra - Mumbai, Govt. of Maharashtra In 2013 “Maharashtra Rajya Mahakavi Kalidas Sanskrit Sadhana Puraskar” by Department of Higher & Technical Education, Govt. of Maharashtra In 2007 “Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar” by Gujarat Sangeet Natak Academy, Govt. of Gujarat In 2006 “Maharashtra State Cultural Award” by Department of Culture, Govt. of Maharashtra In 1977 “Best Child Actress Award” in Hindi Play by Department of Culture, Govt. of Maharashtra

Other awards and honors In 2025 “Girvan Bhushan” Title by International Conference of Women Scholars, Delhi In 2025 “Certificate of Excellence by Global Book of Excellence - England” In 2024 “Kutch Ratna Award” by Kutchi Shakti Samaj on their 45th anniversary. In 2024 “Life-time Achievement Girnar Award” by the Bruhad Mumbai Gujarati Samaj In 2017 “Artistry Award” by Musicians Federation of India & CRPRM In 2015 “Newsmakers Achiever’s Award for Best Bharatanatyam Dancer” by NBC, Mumbai In 2014 “Pillar of the Hindustani Society” by TACCI, Mumbai In 2012 “Nritya Samahita Award” by R.K. Dance Theatre inc., National Arts Council of South Africa, ICCR In 2011 “Sharangdeva Samaroha” by MAHAGAMI, Aurangabad In 2011 “Life-time Achievement Award” by Amruta Foundation, Mumbai In 2011 “Life-time Achievement Award” by Rotary Club of Mumbai South, Mumbai In 2010 “The Artscape Nritya Ratna Award” by NBC, Mumbai In 2008 “Maharashtra Majha Award” Mumbai In 2006 “Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Award” by Buddha Dhamma 2550th year Celebration committee In 2005 “Eminent Bharata Natyam Artist” by Kala Gurjari, Mumbai In 2005 “Nritya Nivedita Title” by Akhil Bharatiya Sanskriti Sangh, Pune In 2003 “Lifetime Devotion in the field of Art” by SCZCC & Baroda Municipal Corporation In 1998 “Dedication in the field of Art” by Triveni Institute, Baroda In 1997 “Bharat Natyam Artist” by Kala Gurjari, Mumbai

Performances Dr. Sandhya Purecha has to her credit over 5000 performances throughout her career spanning over four decades on a national and international platform. Her choreographic expanse includes traditional solo and group ensembles, research-based productions, thematic dance ballets, jugalbandis and collaborative works, contemporary choreographies and many more..

Mudra Dance Festival 2023 Sanskriti Mahotsav 2017 Elephanta Festival 2012 Organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Khajurao Festival – MP Bhojpur Festival – MP Shivratri Festival, Mansaur, MP Sanskrutik Utsav under “Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav”, Udipi - SCZCC Nritya Sanrachana – Agartala, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Govt. of India Poetry Festival – Manipur, Sahitya Akademi, Govt. of India Simhastha Kumbha – Ujjain, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh Shakti Festival – Ujjain, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh Nadhaneerajanam – SVBC TTD, Tirupati Annual Natya Festival –Chennai 5th Margazhi Festival – Navi, Mumbai National Centre for Performing Arts, Mumbai Kalaghoda Arts Festival – Mumbai Elephanta Festival – Mumbai, Maharashtra KalidasMahotsav – Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh Khajurao Festival – Madhya Pradesh Mahalsadevi Festival – Goa Modhera Festival – Ahmedabad, Gujarat Taj Festival – Agra, Uttar Pradesh Kalaghoda Festival – Mumbai, Maharashtra Allaudin Khan Festival – Madhya Pradesh Natyanjali Festival – Chidambaram, Tanjavur and Kumbhakonan, Tamil Nadu Nrityolsavam – Vadodara Pimpri – Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Festival – Pimpri Shaniwarwada Dance & Music Festival - Pune Konark Festival – Orissa Ellora Festival – Aurangabad, Maharashtra Hampi Festival – Karnataka Anushriti Festival – Madhya Pradesh Gorakhpur Festival – Uttar Pradesh Vividh Kala Mahotsav – Maharashtra Jhansi Festival – Jhansi, Madhya Pradesh Bhojpur Mahotsav – Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Sreechitra Festival – Kerala Mamallapuram Dance Festival – Tamil Nadu Pattadakal Dance Festival - ChalukyaUtsav – Karnataka Parampara Festival – New Delhi World Dance Alliance – Chennai, Tamil Nadu India Habitat Centre – New Delhi India International Centre – New Delhi IGNCA – New Delhi Dance Jathre – Banglore, Karnataka Nataraj Pandit Gopi Krishana Jayanti Mahotsav – Nashik, Maharashtra Mumbai Festival – Mumbai, Maharashtra Navi Mumbai Festival – Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 2550 years Celebration of Buddha Centenary – Gateway of India, Mumbai Nehru Centre Classical Dance Festival – Mumbai, Maharashtra Lakshman Mela Festival – Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan – Mumbai, Maharashtra Satara Uttar Chidambaram Festival – Satara, Maharashtra Surabhi Nritya Natya Sangeet Mahotsav – Amravati, Maharashtra Sharangadeva Mahotsav – Aurangabad, Maharashtra

International Performances Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre of the Embassy of India, Moscow and the Glinka State Museum of Musical Culture. R. K. Dance Theatre’s Nritya Mahotsav 2012 at Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria and Johannesburg in association with: Indian Cultural Centre, Johannesburg, High Commission of India, Pretoria, International Relations & Cooperation, Department: Arts & Culture, Republic of South Africa & National Arts Council of South Africa Inauguration of Jain Temple – New York Nehru Centre – London Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan – London CORD/WDA/ICKL International Dance Conference – Taiwan Patidar Samaj – London Sargam Association – London Battery Dance Company – New York Milap Festival – Liverpool Millennium Bharatanatyam Celebration – Canada 7th Kala Nidhi International Dance Festival & Conference – Toronto Edinburgh Festival – Scotland International Youth Festival – Italy

Choriography Chitrasutra – presentation based on Poetry, Painting, Music & Dance Rutuchakra – based on Puranik story of Madana Dahana Discovery Of India – based on Jawaharlal Nehru’s Bharat Ek Khoj Insaniyat ka Zakhira – based on Performing Arts and Humanity R3 – Classical & Contemporary dance based on Raga (Music) Rang (Colour) & Rasa (Dance) Therapy Classics Square – on four classical dance forms on Indo-western fusion Vedas – fashion show based on Indian culture Amar Mukti Aloye Aloye – on poetries of Rabindranath Tagore Jagat Parabarer Tire Shishura Kore Khela – on Rabindranath Tagore’s writings of Shishu, Gitanjali and Geetabitan Panchamahabhuta – based on the Five Elements Space, Water, Wind, Fire