It is a matter of great pride, honour and happiness for the arts fraternity of Mumbai, to learn that Mumbai's leading Bharata Natyam exponent and mentor, Dr Sandhya Purecha, has taken charge as the chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. Dr Sandhya was welcomed by Aneish P Rajan, Secretary and other deputy secretaries and officials of the akademy.

Dr Sandhya Purecha is a renowned Bharata Natyam exponent and has performed for some of the most prestigious festivals and occasions on the international platform, She holds a doctorate in "Natyasastra in theory and practise of angika abhinaya in Bharata Natyam", she is also the recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi award and will be the chairperson of SNA for a term of five years.

Dr Sandhya Purecha humbly acknowledges the blessings of her Guru and mentor Acharya Parvatikumar as one of the major contributors to her success and achievements, she is the founder principal of pioneering Bharata College of Fine Arts & Culture in Mumbai,(estd 2005) affiliated to Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek,Nagpur, recognised by UGC and AIU, New Delhi with the motto -"nrityam sanskriti Samvardhanam", signifying that culture can be preserved and protected only with the help of dance, maintaining the traditional Guru-Shishya Paramparam and the atmosphere ingrained in the college is absolutely apt for delving deep into our cultural heritage.

Courses offered in Bharata Natyam and kathak are diploma for school children, pre degree diploma after SSC, Bachelors, Masters and finally Ph d in dance. Sandhya has also established Safojiraje Bhosale Centre in memory of Raja Sarfojiraje, one of the greatest exponents of classical art of dance and music. Kala Parichaya was established in 1981 with the intention to impart training in classical dances and folk dances. The institute also trains students to become teachers, performers, choreographers, critics etc. SOCH - Save Our Cultural Heritage is a campaign to preserve Indian culture with the propagation of Indian classical dance with yearlong festivals like Kala Avishkar to promote children, Sanskriti featuring professionals, Gati and Kinkini festivals to make classical dance and music to be more accessible to the common man and not just the preserve of elite or high class.

Dr Sandhya has authored five books on dance, "Theory and practise of Angika abhinaya in Bharata Natyam", "Nrityadhyaya of Sangita Darpanam of Chatura Damodara","Nrityavishkar" and "Theory and practice of Kalasa Karanas and Sthanaka Mandala Bheda in Bharata Natyam" and a coffee table book "Acharya Parvati Kumar-Nrityaditya"

Dr Sandhya holds a Masters degree in Sanskrit and is a dance scholar with vast knowledge of all dance forms. she is recipient of several awards like Hirkani award, Maharashtra Mahakavi Kalidasa Sanskrit Sadhana Puraskar, Maharashtra State Cultural Award, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar award, Gujarat Sangeet Natak Akademi award and the latest SNA award.

Dr Sandhya is devoted performer, teacher, choreographer for more than four decades with several accomplishments to her credit.

By Guru Vijay Shanker