SoCal Dancer And Actress Vijaya Bhanu Passes Away

Photo: Sinduri Jayasinghe VIJAYA

India-West News Desk

CHENNAI – Vijaya Bhanu, classical dancer, award-winning actress, and founder of a dance school in Southern California, was found dead at her home in Valasaravakkam, Chennai. She was 75.

Neighbors grew concerned when they hadn’t seen her for over four days and alerted the police on April 25. Officers forced open her residence’s gate and discovered her body near the front door. Her remains were sent for an autopsy at a government hospital, and investigations into the cause of death are ongoing. She had been living alone.

Tributes poured in following the news of her death. Her younger sister, and fellow dancer in California, Sinduri Jayasinghe, wrote in a heartfelt post:

“Very shocking, painful, sad news — my big sister Vijaya Bhanu didi left this planet on 25th of April 2025 in Chennai, India. This akka who named me as Sinduri, encouraged and did my dance arangetram when I was a child. Akka, you please be in peace and rest in heaven until you come back.”

Before returning to India, Vijaya Bhanu had left a mark on the cultural landscape of Southern California. As the founder of Shri Sakthi Sarade Kala Niketan, a classical dance academy based in Southern California, she nurtured students in cities including Canoga Park, Cerritos, Hemet, Apple Valley, South Pasadena, Palos Verdes, and more. Her schools enrolled over 300 students and were deeply involved in community engagement.

Her career was studded with honors, including the “Natya Mayuri” title in 1975 and 1979 from then-Andhra Pradesh chief minister Dr. Chenna Reddy, and the “Vamsee Vedanta Jaganatha Sharma” award in 1986 from Vamsee Art Theater in Hyderabad.

In 1980, she received the best supporting actress award for her role in the film Edi Katha Kadu, presented by legendary actor Dilip Kumar.