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 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

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 & 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
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 Rang & Rasa 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