NEWS

Biography of Mrs. Suhanya Nithyananthan

Hello, I am Mrs. Suhanya Nithyananthan from Sri Lanka, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sundaresan. I have two professions that I cherish deeply. I am the founder and director of Sundaresar Kalai Kovil, a government-registered Bharathanatyam institution, and the owner of Buttercups, where I specialize in cake making, instructing, and catering. Both my professions are like my two eyes, equally important and cherished.

My Dancing Career:

I began my dance journey in Badulla, under the guidance of my first guru, Mrs. Sudharshini Anura. Despite the lack of dance teachers in the province at the time, she took me to all-island competitions where I placed second.

I am immensely grateful to her for this achievement. After completing my A/Ls, I went to India to further my studies in Bharathanatyam under the late Guru Natyachariyar Aravinthan and Mrs. Aravinthan, both retired teachers from Kalakshetra. I performed my arangetram at Perur Patteeswarar Temple on a Pradosham day, a significant milestone in my career.

Following my marriage, I took an 18-year break from teaching. In 2018, I reignited my passion for dance and resumed my journey. To rebuild my skills, I studied under Kalai Mani Bawani Kuhapriya, who restored all my knowledge. Additionally, I pursued further studies at Thanjavur Tamil University to reach my goals.

I registered my dance school under my father's name, Sundaresar Kalai Kovil, as he has always supported me in achieving my dreams. I believe it is my responsibility, given by God, to bring the art of dancing to the next generation in its purest form. My institution, which teaches more than 70 students, integrates religious values into its curriculum. In today’s world, where children's lives can become difficult and parents are stressed due to their behavior, I believe that fine arts like dance and music can provide a path to happiness and discipline.

These arts are intertwined with religion and can guide children towards a more disciplined life.

Buttercups:

Apart from my dance career, I am also the proud owner of Buttercups. Here, I engage in cake making, provide instruction on cake decorating, and offer catering services. This venture allows me to express my creativity and bring joy to many through delicious confections. As a cake instructor, I am proud to have helped my students discover their hidden talents, enabling them to become cake makers and start their own businesses. This achievement brings me immense satisfaction, knowing that I have played a part in their success.

Supporting My Family:

I started my business to support my family. I educated my first son in Australia and my second son in Canada while supporting my husband. Now, I am supporting my third son's education as well . As a woman, I believe that the strength given by God to deliver a baby signifies that we can overcome any challenge. Whatever we do, maintaining honesty, truthfulness, and humility helps us reach our goals.

I have experienced many sleepless nights, balancing my dancing classes and cake-making responsibilities. I never saw it as trouble but as an opportunity. When you love your profession, you won't get tired. Both my professions reflect my passion, dedication, and the joy I derive from bringing happiness to others through art and culinary delights.

A big thank you to the Asian Award in association with the World Research Congress and Time of London online partner for presenting this Asian Women Iconic Award. It’s really encouraging individuals like me a lot.

This biography encapsulates my journey, my achievements, and my commitment to both my professions and my family.