grants & Awards
CAC Legacy Artist fellowship
2022 Distinguished citizens - Wall of Recognition City of Irvine
2022 Distinguished citizens - Wall of Recognition City of Irvine
2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Soorya Foundation, Los Angeles
(2012) 'Kala Seva Bharathi' - Bharat Kalachar, Chennai, India
(2011) Leadership award - Global Women’s Network, USA
(2002) 'Outstanding Artiste of the year' award from Arts OC, the Orange County agency for the arts.
AWARDS
(2023) Individual Artist Fellowship “Legacy Artist’ I California Arts Council
(2023) She Makes History Award | Nora Bishay, NPB Design Studio
(2022) Distinguished citizens - Wall of Recognition | City of Irvine
(2022) Lifetime Achievement Award | Soorya Foundation, Los Angeles
(2012) 'Kala Seva Bharathi' | Bharat Kalachar, Chennai, India
(2011) Leadership award | Global Women’s Network, USA
(2007)'Sanskritik Sammaan' | SAHARA, California
(2007) Letter of Recognition | California State Senate
(2007) Letter of Recognition | City of Anaheim, CA
(2007) 'Helene Modjeska Cultural Legacy Artist Award' from Arts OC, the county wide arts agency
(2002) 'Outstanding Artiste of the year' award from Arts OC, the Orange County agency for the arts.
(2002) designated Disney Artist in the 'From the Center' roster of the Orange County Performing Arts Center to tour schools in S. California.
(1996) 'Excellence Award' for her contribution to the community from the United India Association of Southern California.
(1994-1997) two-time awardee of the Choreographer's Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Coro Fellow for the pilot Arts Leadership program by California Arts Council
(1992-94/95-97, 00-01) Only Bharata Natyam artiste in the Touring and Presenting roster of the California Arts Council.
(1992) California delegate selected by CAC to Open Dialogue V, a biennial national arts symposium by the Association for American Cultures in Los Angeles.
(1991) Delegate at the World Classical Performing Arts Conference at the National Endowment for the Arts, Washington D.C.
(1990) Delegate from Orange County to Regional Open Dialogue by California Arts Council in San Francisco.
(1990) California delegate to Open Dialogue IV, a biennial national arts symposium by the Association for American Cultures in Oklahoma City.
(1978) First prize in bhajan (singing) competition held by Music Academy, Chennai.
(1978) 'Singar Mani' awarded by the Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai.
(1978) 'Outstanding young artiste' by the Tamizh Isai Sangam, Chennai.
(1978) Midyear series, Music Academy, Chennai.
GRANTS
(2011) Master-apprenticeship grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts received by master Ramya Harishankar and apprentice Sumona Vohra.
(2005) Artists Support Program Creative Opportunities for Traditional Artistes from the Fund for Folk Culture for 'Ganga - Life as a River'
(2003) Traditional Folk Arts grant for 'Varnam - preserving the traditional color' funded by the California Arts Council
(2003) Traditional Arts Development grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts.
(2001) Traditional Folk Arts grant for 'Women in E'motion' funded by the California Arts Council.
(2001) Master-apprenticeship grant for 'Margam' from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts received by master Ramya Harishankar and apprentice Trisha Banerjee.
(1994-1997) two-time awardee of the Choreographer's Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.
