Neila Sathyalingam

Neila Sathyalingam (1938-2017) was a pioneering figure in Indian classical dance in Singapore. She was recognised with the Cultural Medallion for her sustained contributions to the arts over nearly 40 years as a dance teacher and choreographer. Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), Neila began learning Indian classical dance at the age of five. She studied Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, and Manipuri dance forms, achieving a gold medal at the All Ceylon Dance Festival in 1954. This success spurred her decision to pursue dance as a career. At the age of 18, Neila joined the Kalakshetra Academy in Chennai, India. Under the guidance of Rukmini Devi Arundale, she completed the five-year Bharatanatyam diploma in two years, graduating with first-class honours in 1957. Returning to Kalakshetra in 1969, she obtained her teacher’s training diploma and postgraduate training, subsequently joining the faculty as a dance teacher. She married Sathyalingam, a music teacher there, and since then became known as Neila Sathyalingam.

In 1974, Neila and Sathyalingam relocated to Singapore and soon founded Apsaras Arts in 1977 where Neila served as artistic director while Sathyalingam directed music. In 1983, Neila was appointed as the dance instructor and choreographer of the Indian Dance Group of the People's Association. She also contributed as a member of the Music Advisory Panel of the National Arts Council. Inspired by Singapore's multicultural environment, Neila pioneered new dance forms blending regional arts with Indian classical dance. In 1988, she co-founded the Lion City Angels with Som Said and Yang Choong Lian, focusing on multicultural children’s dance performances. The troupe gained international recognition, performing at festivals in France and Spain. Neila's dance-drama 'Kannagi', which integrated Indian tradition with multicultural elements, premiered at the Singapore Arts Festival in 1998. From 1994 to 2007, she was the choreographer for the Indian dance segments in the Chingay Parade during Chinese New Year celebrations. Neila was honoured with the Cultural Medallion in 1989 and inducted into The Singapore Women's Hall of Fame in 2014. Upon her passing in 2017, Neila was remembered by Padma Subramanyam as "a uniting force in the multi-cultural dance fraternity in Singapore working with dancers from the Malay, Indian and Chinese communities”. Apsaras Arts continues Neila's legacy through the Neila Sathyalingam Memorial Endowment Award, presented annually to outstanding artists in Indian classical dance. 

For more information
Sathyalingam, Neila. Oral History Interview by Nur Azlin bte Salem, 2 December 2009. Transcript and MP3 audio, 07:52:37. National Archives of Singapore (accession no. 003430)
Nanda, Akshita. “Pioneer dancer Neila Sathyalingam dies,” The Straits Times, 10 March 2017. https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/pioneer-dancer-neila-sathyalingam-dies
“Neila Sathyalingam.” Off Stage, 18 November 2021. https://www.esplanade.com/offstage/arts/neila-sathyalingam
De, Soumee. “Remembering Neila Sathyalingam Festival 2021,” Apsaras Arts. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://www.apsarasarts.com/2024/04/08/remembering-neila-sathyalingam-festival-2021/
Our Cultural Medallion Story. “Neila Sathyalingam,” Arts House Limited. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://artshouselimited.sg/ourcmstory-recipients/neila-sathyalingam
“Neila Sathyalingam”. Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/neila-sathyalingam/

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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.