Sasikala Penumarthi

Duluth

Sasikala Penumarthi (Duluth) is Executive Director of the Academy of Kuchipudi Dance in Atlanta and currently serves as a Kuchipudi dance instructor at Emory University. She has devoted more than three decades to sharing the South Indian classical tradition of Kuchipudi with Georgia and beyond. A gifted performer, choreographer, and educator, she has trained numerous students, staged significant full-scale productions, and introduced area students and residents to the art form through performances, workshops, and university teaching. Her innovative works, such as a Kuchipudi adaptation of The Nutcracker, showcase her ability to honor tradition while engaging new audiences. Through her leadership, the Academy has enriched Georgia’s cultural life while contributing to the state’s economy and philanthropic efforts. At Emory University, she has inspired students through interdisciplinary teaching that bridges dance, religion, and performance studies. She has conducted master classes and workshops across Georgia and the Southeastern United States. Respected for her commitment to community, Penumarthi has become a cultural ambassador whose impact endures through her students, productions, and dedication to preserving this treasured art form.