Shree Bharatalaya came into being in 1970 following an initiative
jointly taken by K.Soundararaja Iyengar, Sudharani Raghupathy and
Madurai N.Krishnan.
Shree Bharatalaya has also released several books and audio cassettes which include :
* Sounds of Bharatanatyam (double cassette)
* Madura Margam (double cassette)
* Thillanas of Madurai N.Krishnan
* Sri Krishna Prabhavam of Ambuja Krishna
* Thillanas of Madurai N.Krishnan - Vol II rendered by Sudha Raghunathan
* Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum
* Madurai Margam - Dance Compositions of Madurai N.Krishnan (a book)
* Laghu Bharatam Volume I - Handbook on basic theory of Dance
Sudharani has been president and principle dance teacher of Shree
Bharatalaya since it was established. She has been giving solo
recitals, choreographed a number of dances and also produced
dance-dramas and TV serials.
Sudharani has won many awards and titles. Some of these include -
* Nritya Choodamani (1979)
* Kalaimamani (1981)
* Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1984)
* Natana Sironmani (1985)
* Natya Ratna (1986)
* Natya Kalanidhi (1988)
* Padma Shri (1988)
* Natya Jyothi (1994)
Madurai N. Krishnan (born in 1928)was a close disciple of Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar and also studied at the Central College of Music in
Madras. In his career as a Carnatic vocalist, he is regarded as a
faithful exponent of his guru's style. He has been placed in A-top
category by All India Radio.Krishnan has been the Director of Shree Bharatalaya since its founding, awards and titles received by Madurai Krishnan include: