Santha Bhaskar

Santha Bhaskar (1939–2022) was an Indian classical dancer who dedicated nearly seven decades of her life to Singapore’s arts scene. She was a recipient of the Cultural Medallion, Singapore's highest arts award. 

Born in Kerala, India, as Pankyamma Santhamma, she married K.P. Bhaskar, the founder of Bhaskar's Arts Academy, in 1955 and moved to Singapore, where she became known as Santha Bhaskar. Having mastered various traditional Indian dance forms, including Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, and Bharatanatyam, she distinguished herself as a dancer, director, and arts administrator. She trained numerous dancers and produced a diverse range of performances both in Singapore and abroad.

Her innovative approach was particularly notable in her fusion of the best elements of Malay, Chinese, and Thai dances with traditional Indian dance forms. She created works based on diverse themes, drawing from Chinese epics, Shakespearean plays, and local poetry, often incorporating drama, multimedia, and visual arts. During her tenure at the National University of Singapore, she boldly staged new dance works in collaboration with experts from scientific fields such as quantum technology, mathematics, and geography. She even undertook crash courses from faculty members to understand and integrate theoretical frameworks into innovative artistic expressions. Among her outstanding works are Sambhavna (2016) and Maya Yatra (2018). Having nurtured generations of students at the university for over four decades, she was celebrated as its longest-serving artistic tutor. 

One of her most significant achievements was adapting Kuo Pao Kun’s play The Silly Little Girl and The Old Tree into a Bharatanatyam production, titled Vriksha.

After the passing of her husband, K.P. Bhaskar (1925–2013), Santha Bhaskar continued to lead the arts academy. Her contributions to the arts were recognised by various awards including the Cultural Medallion in 1990, the Public Service Star Award in 2016, and the Meritorious Service Medal in 2021. In 2012, she was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame. Under her leadership, Bhaskar’s Arts Academy received the Steward of Intangible Cultural Heritage Award from the National Heritage Board. 

Santha Bhaskar is remembered as a pioneer of Indian classical dance in Singapore. Her work embodied a deep respect for tradition, a multicultural sensibility, and the philosophy that "art is for everyone," helping to shape Singapore’s vibrant arts landscape.



For more information
“Our Founders.” Bhaskars Arts Academy. Accessed 1 August 2025. https://www.bhaskarsartsacademy.com/founder.cfm 
“A Legacy of Tradition, Passion, and Lifelong Learning: Remembering the Doyen of Traditional Indian Dance, Mrs Santha Bhaskar (1939 – 2022).” NUS Office of Student Affairs, 27 February 2022. https://cfa.nus.edu.sg/spotlight/remembering-mrs-bhaskar/ 
Wong, Chee Meng, and N. Nedumaran. A Quest for Dance: The Life and Times of Singapore Dance Pioneer K.P. Bhaskar. Singapore: Select Publishing, 2015.

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The information in this article is valid as of August 2025 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit here.