Shantala Shivalingappa
(India)

Born in Madras and raised in Paris, Shantala started dancing at 13, working with such greats as Maurice Bejart, Peter Brook, Bartabas and Pina Bausch. Inspired by Master Vempati Chinna Satyam, Shantala has dedicated herself to Kuchipudi, a classical South Indian form that combines abstract pure dance with expressive dance in a vibrant and extremely intricate style.