KUALA LUMPUR – Dr. Sri Ganesan, a renowned exponent of Malaysia Bharatha Natyam and Master Guru, passed away on 9th June, 2023 in Bhubaneswar, Orrisa. He was in the city to perform and receive the Sri Jayadev International Award as part of the Sri Jayadev Rastriya Samaroh Dance Festival. After performing on stage and lighting the lamp, he collapsed due to a heart attack and was immediately rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, he could not be saved.

Dr. Sri Ganesan, the President of The Malaysian Bharatha Natya Association, was the Director of Sri Ganesalaya Dance Institution, which he established after returning to Malaysia in 1987.

He had trained thousands of students in the ancient Valluvur style of BharathaNatyam and many of them are now established dancers and teachers in Malaysia, Australia, US, UK and India.

Having received numerous awards and titles including the Honorary Doctorate Award, Dr. Sri Ganesan was bestowed with 34 titles worldwide such as The Living Legend Natya Chakravarthy, Natya Thilakam, Nartaka Sironmani, Natya Kala Ratna, Natya Chelvan, Aryabhata International Award, Kala Poshaka, and many more.

Through his wide range of productions, dance dramas, recitals, arangetram and salangai poojai, Dr. Sri Ganesan has been able to maintain the originality of the ancient Valluvur Style of Dancing in his choreographies.

He has brought hundreds of dance schools in Malaysia and leading Indian dancers from India on stage in Malaysia, becoming one of the most senior dancers to do so.

His passing is an immeasurable loss to the Dance and Arts Community in Malaysia and beyond. Dr. Sri Ganesan lived his life for Bharyam, pursuing his passion of dancing Bharatha Natyam until the end. -MalayaDailyToday