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Sheejith Krishna Sheejith Krishna, a performing dancer and choreographer, was initiated into dance from the early age of eight. He had behind him for guidance, his father, Shri Kannur Balakrishnan, a Bharathanatyam and Folk dance artiste and Director of "Noopuram", a School of Fine Arts in Kerala. Also inspiring him was his mother, Smt. Manorama Balakrishnan, a Bharathanatyam and Mohiniyattam artiste herself. His initial training began under the tutelage of his parents. He honed his skills further by learning mridangam under Shri Kalamandalam Ramakrishnan and under the able tutorship of Ghatam Vidwan Shri T.H.Vinayakaram and Shri T.R.Sundareshan. His quest for knowledge in the art field brought him to Smt.Rukmini Devi's world famous institution, "Kalakshetra". Apart from rigorous training in Bharathanatyam, Sheejith Krishna also nourished his vocal talent under Shri S.Rajaram, Director of Kalakshetra and also under Salem Shri Chellam Iyengar. After his 4-year diploma course, he continued with his post graduation in Bharathanatyam and passed out achieving a first class from the same institution. His efforts were acknowledged and the Government of Kerala awarded him the title of "Kalapratibha". He was also honored by the Kalai Magal Sabha as a good performing artiste. Sheejith Krishna has a number of performances to his credit, both in India and abroad. He has performed leading roles in several of Smt.Rukmini Devi's dance productions. His roles in Smt.Lakshmi Viswanathan's "Banyan Tree" and Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman's "Jaya Jaya Devi" were well appreciated. He was also invited by the Cultural Embassy of France to perform in their annual festival in Paris. Apart from such prestigious performances, Sheejith Krishna has also choreographed Jathiswarams, Varnams, Keerthanams, Thillanas etc. His maiden venture into the field of dance drama choreography titled "Marthyan", was acclaimed as a unique production. His wife Smt.Jyothishmathi Sheejith Krishna, also a postgraduate from Kalakshetra, aids him with the musical score for his compositions. Presently, as a staff member of Smt.Rukmini Devi's Kalakshetra, Sheejith Krishna continues to improvise himself more importantly help dedicated students carve a niche for themselves in the field of art.

REVIEWS Sheejith as Arjuna has an immaculate sense of laya and very neat dance lines - The Hindu (Jan 13th 1995). Sheejith made an impassioned Rukmi, his movements brandishing the sword, full of wrathful indignation at the parents' choice of Krishna as a groom for his sister Rukmini - The Hindu (Jan 7th 1994). Evolution of mankind may sound good in theory but to present it visually needs creativity and imagination. The man behind the scene - Sheejith Krishna, choreographer of "Marthyan", proved that he has both in plenty - Indian Express Week (April 4th 1998) "Ilamai Inimai Pudumai", a dance festival presented by Leela Shekar for International Dance Alliance (IDA), gave an opportunity for aspiring dancers to present their capabilities. Sheejith Krishna from Kalakshetra deserves praise for his presentation of excerpts of Marthyan" that deals with the evolution of human beings. "Marthyan" is a fine fusion of choreography in total and stood out as the best presentation in this festival. - The Hindu (July 24th1998) Sheejith Krishna has very tactfully blended the approaches to dance as a bodily language and its traditional framework in a fine manner without any dull moment. "Marthyan" involved a fine fusion of educative and cultural values of human life - The Hindu (April 3rd 1998) "Marthyan" was indeed entertaining, communicative and educative. It is heartening to watch young dancers like Sheejith Krishna coming up with new themes, handling them with clear vision and presenting them in an aesthetic manner - Sruti (May 1998)

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