Chitra Shankar is more than a skilled Indian dancer, having also brought unique dance forms from her native India to Singapore. She shows us that dance is more than just a physical art form, and how giving opportunities to dancers from all walks of life galvanises communities and helps us grow.
Chitra Shankar is the Founder and Artistic Director of Chitrakala Arts - an abode of Performing Arts based in Singapore - promoting Odissi and Bharatanatyam in the South East Asia region. Starting in 1998, she has been teaching, performing and choreographing original works among students and dance lovers in ten countries.

In recognition of her services in promoting Odissi in the region, Chitra was honored as THE AMBASSADOR OF ODISSI by the Founding Gurus of Odissi International. In addition, Chitra is a recipient of numerous awards and recognition in Odissi and Bharatanatyam from multiple organizations. She is also among the select group of artistes empanelled with the ICCR (Indian Council of Cultural Relations).

Besides dance, Chitra is a well-known textile designer, painter and creative artiste. She has also written numerous reviews for dance performances and artistic displays in Singapore published in different journals of note.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx