Anuradha Nehru is the founder and artistic director of the Kalanidhi Dance. An award-winning Kuchipudi artist, Anuradha served as the Artistic Director of Kalanidhi Dance for the past 33 years, which has grown into one of the leading Indian classical dance schools and performing companies in the United States. Under her leadership, Kalanidhi dance has performed at several prestigious venues and dance festivals in the U.S. and around the world. As a choreographer, Anuradha’s quest is to constantly find new ways to create fresh and relevant works that connect with contemporary audiences. She believes in staying true to the depth and beauty of the Indian classical dance style while pushing its boundaries to explore new avenues of creative expression.

Her ability to transcend artistic genres is best exemplified in her collaboration with Opera Lafayette in three different operatic works. The first, in 2013, was Lalla Roukh, a 19th century French opera situated in India; the second, Les Fetes de l’Hymen et de l’Amour in 2014 and the most recent, The Enchanted Forest, in 2018, were also received by critical acclaim. Recipient of several awards which include, the Pola Nirenska award (2020), Outstanding Artist award from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (2016), National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts award, and the Master Apprentice award from Maryland State Arts Council, Anuradha continues to shape the next generation of outstanding Kuchipudi dancers.