Jayashree Kumar—Community Voice
Her mother inducted Jayashree into the classical dancing art at the age of seven. She underwent a rigorous training for over 14 years in several aspects of Bharatanatyam by two eminent exponents and recipients of coveted awards in Bharatanatyam, Guru Natyacharya (which means guru of dance) Late Sri. Keshava Murthy & Kalamandalam Mrs. Usha Datar. She has obtained the “Proficiency” degree awarded by the State Board of Education from Bangalore, Karnataka. In addition to winning several laurels for her dance performances Jayashree has also directed several dance ballets, the recent one being a Russian Folk Dance at a state reception organized by the Govt. of Karnataka.
Jayashree made her dance debut with a solo performance at the age of ten at a state reception held by the government of Karnataka before the then Chief Minister Late Sri. Dev Raj Urs. Since then, Jayashree has continued her career in dance by giving performances in India, Russia, and USA. Some very notable performances by invitation have been at the Kolonii Zal, Moscow; Acad. of Agricultural Sciences, Moscow; Academy of Sciences, Siberia, Indian Institute of World Culture, Yavanika, Bangalore. Since her arrival in USA she has given performances at Hindu Temple – Atlanta, Hindu Temple – Memphis – Second Anniversary celebrations, Kannada Koota – Nashville, Diwali celebrations in Selma, AL among others.
Jayashree Kumar has a Masters Degree in Russian Language as well as agriculture from Timiryazev Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Moscow, Russia. Currently she lives in Memphis, Tn. In addition to being a free-lance Russian/English Translator/Interpreter she teaches Bharatanatyam to interested students at her residence and runs Kumar’s School of Arts.