Lifetime Arts Achievement Awards 2025
Dr. Chandrabanu OAM
Biography
Professor Dr. Chandrabhanu OAM is an eminent Malaysian-born dance artiste, teacher, and researcher who has dedicated his life to the preservation and advancement of Indian classical and Southeast Asian dance. Trained in Bharatanatyam under Adyar K. Lakshman, Odissi under Bijoy Kumar Senapati and Sanjukta Panigrahi, and Malaysian Terinai under Pak Mei Selampit, he is also versed in Balinese and modern dance.
He established the Chandrabhanu Bharatalaya Academy in Melbourne in 1973 and later founded the renowned Bharatam Dance Company, producing acclaimed works that blended classical rigor with contemporary exploration. From 1984 to 2004, his company toured extensively across Australia, performing in schools and theatres and building intercultural appreciation for dance.
A Legacy of Mentorship
Holder of a PhD in Social Anthropology from Monash University, Dr. Chandrabhanu has taught hundreds of students, with over 140 completing their Arangetram or Manch Pravesh. His contributions include choreographing Jayadeva’s Geeta Govinda, creating syncretic works like Maanushi, and fostering collaborations bridging Odissi with Flamenco.
He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2006 for his contributions to dance and appointed Adjunct Professor at the University of Malaya in 2019. Recognised with numerous honours including the Natya Acharya Mani Award, he continues to teach, research, and inspire, embodying artistry, scholarship, and cultural leadership with grace and humility.