Smt. Savitri Naidoo

A Bharatanatyam exponent in the classical Panda Nallur style, a skilled choreographer, inspiring teacher and a pioneer in the promotion of Indian Arts in South Africa. Her dance foundation rooted in the western genres of Ballet, Modern and Spanish dance before discovering the beautiful heritage of Indian Dance. Soon after finishing the HSC equivalent, Savitri accompanied by her Mother left for India to pursue her passion under the tutelage of the eminent Guru Natya Kala Ratnam, Natya Kala Bhushan Smt Indira Ragan, studying in the traditional manner living with her Guru. After her Arangetram she studied kathak in Mauritius and with the blessing of her, Guru Vadhini Natyalaya was established, later known as Vadhini Indian Arts. On subsequent visits to India, she broadened her repertoire in Bharatanatyam under Smt. Indira Rajan, Smt Vyjanathimala, Madurai R Muralidharan and the Dhanajayans. Savitri also trained in Tradition Indian folk dance at Darpana academy in Ahmedabad and Triveni College in Delhi. She has been privileged to perform and work alongside South Africa’s leading Artists and choreographers, performing and facilitating master classes in Chennai, Mauritius, Poland, Germany, Botswana and nationally in South Africa.

Savitri spearheaded Vadhini for over three decades staging highly acclaimed innovative productions, collaborative works, experimental outreach projects and establishing the curriculum for Bharatanatyam as a HSC equivalent subject. Following that, in 2010 she immigrated to Australia where she founded the Chakras Performing Arts building the institution of the same values, sincerity and passion.