Viji Prakash

Vijaya Lakshmi Prakash, popularly known as Viji Prakash, is an Indian Bharata Natyam dancer, instructor, choreographer,^[1] and founder of the Shakti Dance Company and Shakti School of Bharata Natyam. She has been working in the USA since 1976, with a career spanning over 40 years in practicing, performing, teaching, and choreographing Bharata Natyam.

Viji Prakash
Born	Vijaya Lakshmi India
Occupation	Bharata Natyam dancer
Spouse	Prakash ​ (death)​
Children	Mythili Prakash
Awards	Devdasi National Award (2014), Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy Award (2013)
Website	Shakti Bharatnatyam official website

Key achievements and background:

• Began studying Bharata Natyam at age 4.
• Trained under the renowned gurus Kalyanasundaram and Mahalingam Pillai of the Sri Raja Rajeshwari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir in Bombay.
• Also studied Mohini Attam and Kathakali under Guru Kanak Rele.
• Founded the Shakti School of Bharata Natyam and Shakti Dance Company in Los Angeles in 1977.
• Has trained over 2,000 students, with over 300 students performing their solo debuts (Arangetram).
• The Shakti Dance Company has performed at prestigious venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and the LA County Holiday Celebration.
• Recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the Best Guru Award from the Music Academy in Chennai and the Soorya LifeTime Achievement Award.
• Served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Bharata Natyam at UCLA from 1999 to 2015.

Personal life

Viji was married to Prakash,^[2] and their daughter Mythili Prakash is also a dancer and choreographer specializing in Bharatanatyam.^[3]