Hema Rajagopalan, Indian American founder and artistic director of Natya Dance Theatre, has been named the recipient of the See Chicago Dance 2021 Legacy Award.
The honor is accorded to an artistic leader who has enriched their community and made a significant and sustained impact on dance in Chicago, Illinois.
Rajagopalan is a Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher, and choreographer of international reputation.
Natya Dance Theatre is a professional touring company and school that has specialized in Bharatanatyam for more than 35 years.
According to the dance company, Rajagopalanâs âinnovative work preserves Bharatanatyam in its full integrity, developing the art form in new directions and bringing it to diverse audiences all over the world.â