Born in Pollachi in 1944, Sudharani grew up in Bangalore. A graduate in Philosophy and Sociology from the University of Mysore, she learned Bharatanatyam from U.S. Krishna Rao, K.P. Kittappa Pillai and Mylapore Gowri Amma. She studied Carnatic music under T. Chowdiah, K.P. Kittappa Pillai and Vidwan Madurai N.Krishnan. Sudharani has also studied Modern dance from Eleanor Struppa at Randolph Macon Women's College, (Virginia, U.S.A during 1964-65) and western music from Elaine St. Vincent of the U.S.

Sudharani has been president and principle dance teacher of Shree Bharatalaya since it was established. She has been giving solo recitals, choreographed a number of dances and also produced dance-dramas and TV serials.

Sudharani has won many awards and titles. Some of these include -

• Nritya Choodamani (1979)
• Kalaimamani (1981)
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1984)
• Natana Sironmani (1985)
• Natya Ratna (1986)
• Natya Kalanidhi (1988)
• Padma Shri (1988)
• Natya Jyothi (1994)
• Saptagiri Sangeetha Vidwan Mani (199)
• Sangeetha Kala Nipuna (1998)

Madurai N. Krishnan (born in 1928) belongs to a family whose members have been known both for their music and social service as practitioners of astrology and mantrasastras. The two streams have co-mingled in the career of Krishnan. He was a close disciple of Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar and also studied at the Central College of Music in Madras. In his career as a Carnatic vocalist, he is regarded as a faithful exponent of his guru's style. He has been placed in A-top category by All India Radio. Despite his busy schedule, he finds time to provide spiritual aid and comfort as a siddha purusha.

Krishnan has, furthermore, won acclaim as a composer for dance. As of mid '95, he has composed - both lyrics and the music - for more than 60 items of dance and scored the music for a number of other compositions, including those forming part of dance dramas. To date he has composed over four entire margams for a bharatanatyam recital. Virtually all his compositions for dance are bhakti-oriented, and have been performed.

Krishnan has been the Director of Shree Bharatalaya since its founding. Awards and titles received by Madurai Krishnan include:

• Gana Nidhi (1979)
• Madura Kala Praveena (1981)
• Kalaimamani (1982)
• Sangeet Natak Akademi award (1988)
• Padma Shri (1992)
• Sangeetha Jyothi (1997)
• Sangeetha Kala Sarathy (1998)

Sudharani Raghupathy is the principal instructor in dance. She teaches students of all ages. She also provides instruction on breathing and physical exercises aimed at improving body strength, flexibility and kinetics.

Madurai N. Krishnan takes group classes in music. He also teaches his new compositions to a select few who then teach others.

Prof. Thangaswamy Sarma teaches Sanskrit. A Presidents Award winner for Sanskrit in 1996, he deals with the theoretical aspects of dance, besides teaching children dhyanaslokas.

Priya Murle is an assistant teacher of dance.

A.Lakshman handles the special classes for children.

N.S.Jayalakshmi of Kalakshetra takes master classes for both senior and junior disciples.

M.S.Murali hailing from a parampara of musicians, teaches music and helps in the productions of Shree Bharatalaya.

In its early years, Shree Bharatalaya had the benefit of the services of three others. Trichur Ramanathan who taught dance, nattuvangam and mridangam; M.V. Nagarajan who taught dance (adavus); and Srinivasachari who taught Sanskrit.