in Bangalore. She then moved to Madras and was fortunate to have received the training
directly from the legendary master, Padmasri Natyakala Kesari Late Sri Vazhuvoor Ramiah
Pillai.
After the demise of Sri Ramiah Pillai, Leela was trained by Kalaimamani Sri Kunjidapadam
Pillai, from the Kathumannar Muthukumara Pillai school.
Leela later on sought training from the maestro Kalaimamani Mrs. K J Sarasa, a disciple of the
doyen Vazhuvoor Ramiaih Pillai. She learned from the expert teacher for several years. She
obtained training in Abhinaya from Padmabhushan Mrs. Kalanidhi Narayanan, the leading
exponent and authority in the field and Mrs. Anuradha Jaganathan. Leela is appreciated by
critics and art-lovers for her expressive talents in the art.
Nattuvangam (Art of conducting Bharatnatyam recitals)
Seeking to delve into the teaching and conducting aspects of the art, Leela developed her
expertise in Nattuvangam under the able tutelage of Mrs. Kamala Rani of Kalakshetra. The
proficient and rigorous training in music from her mother, Mrs. Sarojini Sundaresan, in the
laya-rich Alathur style and in Konnakol (the art verbally rendering Mridangam sollukattus) from
the notable Mridangam artist Late Sri. M.N Kanadaswamy has aided her in fortifying the
rhythmic aspects of Bharatnatyam. She has been appreciated by several critics for her precise
and musical rendering of the Sollukattus.
As a Choreographer
Having been trained by such leading Gurus in the art, Leela now does her own choreography
for rare and popular compositions. She has also choreographed several intricate pieces of
Mrs.Sarojini Sundaresan and presented it in her concerts and taught to many of her students.
As a Performer
She has performed in several leading dance festivals and her concerts have been telecast on
the television network in India and elsewhere. Leela has performed year after year in the
music and dance festivals held during the month December in Chennai, India in popular
concert platforms such as Mylapore Fine Arts, Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Nungambakkam
Cultural Academy, Suswara and many others. Her concert has been the inaugural program on
several occasions and have been telecast She has also performed in the UK and the USA.
As a Teacher
Leela trains students in the traditional dance form. Her students are of different nationalities.
Many of her students have won accolades in notable competitions. She combines her
capabilities as a qualified musician in training her students in the musical aspects of
Bharatnatyam as well. Her students emerge out of her complete training not only as able
performers but also as qualified teachers and choreographers.
Media
Leela has been presented by television networks in India and the UK as a multi-faceted
personality. She has been interviewed by several international televisions networks in the UK
and India such as Jaya TV, Deepam TV, Doordharshan and CEEI TV.
Others
Leela is a very capable painter in different media and has won accolades in solo and joint
exhibitions of her paintings on canvas and other forms as well. She has often donated
proceeds of her paintings for many deserving causes of human welfare in developing countries.
She is also the President of GoodWin Asset Management Inc.a Florida-based investment
management firm, where she lives with her husband who is a Pulmonary/ Critical Care/ Sleep
Disorders specialist.
