Chithra Cijith, the founder and instructor at Mudra Dance School in Winston-Salem, NC, is renowned for her expertise in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam, two major classical dance forms of India. She also serves as a Guest Lecturer at High Point University, where she conducts Bharatanatyam workshops twice a year.
Chithra began her dance journey at a very young age under the guidance of Srimathi Natyasree Manorama Balakrishnan and continues her training with Srimathi Kalamandalam Baghyalakshmi. During her school years, she excelled in various dance competitions, earning the prestigious Kalathilakam title in 1997. She has performed on many prominent stages in India, including the Melpathur Auditorium in Guruvayoor.
In April 2024, Chithra received a B grade in Mohiniyattam from Doordarshan, India's autonomous public service broadcaster. She also had the honor of performing at the Koodalmanikyam Temple Utsav – National Dance and Music Festival, a highly esteemed stage for artists.
In the Triad area, Chithra is a respected figure in the dance community, known for her Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam performances at Sri Mata Hindu Temple, Triad Hindu Temple, and various Indian and Chinese association events. Her commitment to promoting Indian classical dance earned her the Nadanamanjari Puraskar from Ulanadu Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Kerala's second most popular Krishna temple, for organizing dance and music festivals.
