Group Peformance at Shiva Vishnu TempleSun, Jan 25Shiva-Vishnu Temple
FOG India CelebrationsSat, Jan 24HUSD Performing Arts Center
About Jayendra Kalakendra
Established in 1989 by Director Smt. Suganda Sreenath, Jayendra Kalakendra has been involved in the art form of Bharatanatyam for many years. The school started modestly, with one student in one location, and gradually grew to locations all across the Bay Area. The school focuses on being an institution which educates its students on all aspects of Natya. In addition to teaching many students, Jayendra Kalakendra has put on numerous productions and fundraisers throughout the years, including Bharatanatyam: Then and Now, Dances of India, Guru Vandana, Prakriti, Four Seasons, Kalinga Narthana, and Natya Manjari. Jayendra Kalakendra encourages their students to participate in their workshops, led by Bharatanatyam exponents from India, and summer camps, which include a full day of yoga, adavus, and theory. The school's objective is to enrich and preserve this ancient dance form and maintain a high standard of excellence. Over 100 students have completed their Arangetram (ascending the stage) to date. Jayendra Kalakendra currently offers classes in San Jose, Santa Clara, Fremont, and Pleasanton.
Our Gurus
Acharya
Smt. Suganda Sreenath
Smt. Suganda Sreenath Iyer hails from a distinguished family of musicians and dancers and is a respected Bharatanatyam guru with over four decades of dedicated teaching. She began her journey as a teacher in 1983 at her sister’s dance school in Secunderabad, where she discovered her passion for cultivating young talent.
In 1989, she founded Jayendra Kalakendra, an institution that has grown under her visionary leadership for more than 36 years. She has trained over 5,000 students worldwide, many of whom have established their own Bharatanatyam schools. Her teaching centers currently span India and the United States, including Cupertino, Fremont, Pleasanton, and San Jose, along with a strong global outreach through online classes.
Guided by the belief that art must serve society, Smt. Suganda has used Natya as a medium for service, supporting numerous charitable causes through performances and school productions.
A lifelong learner, she continues to refine her artistry under the mentorship of Padma Bhushan awardees Smt. Shanta and Sri V. P. Dhananjayan. Her contributions have been widely recognized with honors such as the Acharya Devo Bhava Award, Naatya Sevaka from Bharata Kalanjali, and the Kala Bharati Award for her exceptional dedication and impact on the world of dance.
Today, Jayendra Kalakendra continues its mission of preserving and promoting the ancient art of Bharatanatyam, nurturing the next generation of dancers with the same passion, discipline, and commitment that have defined Smt. Suganda’s remarkable career.
Founder & Artistic Director
Guru
Smt. Shreya Iyer
Smt. Shreya Iyer is a dedicated Bharatanatyam artist, teacher, and choreographer, and the daughter and disciple of Smt. Suganda Sreenath, the founder and acharya of Jayendra Kalakendra. She began her training at the age of four under her mother’s tutelage and completed her Arangetram in 2007. She has also undergone further training under the Dhanajayans and now is under the guidance and mentorship of Smt. Divya Ram.
After completing her Arangetram, Shreya attended the University of San Diego for her undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Finance. Shreya is now a full-time Bharatanatyam artist at Jayendra Kalakendra, where she teaches students, choreographs original works, and leads performances with nattuvangam.
Shreya performs regularly in India during the Margazhi Season, earning recognition for her artistic excellence. She was awarded the “Natya Ratna” title by the Trinity Arts Festival of India and the Guru T. Balasaraswati Endowment Prize by Krishna Gana Sabha in 2018. She has also performed at multiple prestigious festivals and venues including the Pongal Festival at Krishna Gana Sabha, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bharat Kala(a)cha(a)r in Chennai, “I Dance, Hence I Am” in the Bay Area, and the India Habitat Centre in Delhi.
As a lead performer in several Jayendra Kalakendra productions and through solo presentations like Samarpanam and more Shreya continues to expand her artistic contributions. Alongside performing extensively in the USA and India, she passionately trains the next generation of dancers, bringing her unique insights as a first-generation Indian American to her teaching and choreography. Through innovation and tradition, Shreya strives to inspire her students and audience with the timeless beauty of Bharatanatyam.
Before we begin today’s performance, we would like to encourage everyone to take a moment to silence your phones. Please remain seated throughout the program, and if you need to leave, please wait until after an item is completed. We appreciate applause, but please kindly refrain from loud cheering as it is a distraction to the artists on stage.
