Ambika Docherty has distinguished herself as a versatile and dynamic dancer working with Chandrabhanu’s Bharatam Dance Company from its inception. As Associate Director of the Company she was highly responsible for the organization of the productions of the group. She is now Deputy Director of Chandrabhanu’s Bharatalaya Academy. Ambika was trained in Bharata-Natyam and Odissi by Chandrabhanu from the age of seven. She performed her arangetram in 1982 and then worked with the Bharatam Dance Company as a full-time performer till 2001, distinguishing herself in all the works. She commenced studying Nattuvangam under Chandrabhanu and has also had master classes with Guru Adyar K. Lakshman. She has spent extensive periods of study in India working both in Bharata-Natyam and Odissi. Ambika has accompanied Chandrabhanu’s solo performances in Nattuvangam throughout Australia and overseas in England, Malaysia and Singapore. She is the main tutor in Odissi at the Chandrabhanu Bharatalaya Academy and was invited to tutor and direct an Odissi production by Dance Exchange Company in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In addition she is an excellent stage manager and performance supervisor, as well as a costume designer and manager. In recognition of her versatility and trail of excellence she was given the Natyakala Choodamani Award as well as the Kala Ratnam Award by the Bharatalaya Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts from Monash University