Shalinidevi Jitbahadoer

After studying at the Ponnaiah Lalithakala Academy, with guidance of Smt. Padmini Rao (Bangalore), Shalinidevi finished the Karnataka State Senior Bharata Natyam Exam with honours. Under supervision of Guru Smt. Geetha Kanhai, Shalinidevi learns more thoroughly about the backgrounds of Bharata Natyam. One of the main goals of Shalinidevi is to earn the blessings and dedication of her Guru.

In 1995 Shalinidevi started taking classes in the North Indian dance style Kathak at Sri Shakshi Gopal, followed by a Bharata Natyam dance course at Smt. Sitra Bonoo. Meanwhile Shalinidevi also participated in workshops and master classes by Smt. Padmini Rao (dance) and Sri S.V. Giridhara (rhythm). Besides dance, Shalinidevi has a strong interest in Indian classical music, especially singing. She has learned the basics of Dhrupad under guidance of Sri Glenn Kallasing (The Hague) and followed workshops by Ustad Z.F. Dagar (Bhopal). Finally she has followed South Indian singing classes under guidance of Smt. Bharti Venugopala (Bangalore).

Shalinidevi aims to accomplish a worthy place for Indian dance in Western theatre, without loosing interest in the traditional roots.