Viji Prakash is a US-based dancer, choreographer and teacher of Bharata Natyam who has trained with gurus Kalyanasundaram and Mahalingam Pillai, grandmasters of the Tanjavur tradition and directors of the Sri Raja Rajeswari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir, Bombay. Prakash has also studied Mohini Attam and Kathakali with Dr. Kanak Rele at Nalanda Maha Vidyalaya. Founder-director of the Shakti School of Bharata Natyam (1976), and its performing affiliate-the Shakti Dance Company, Viji Prakash has performed and toured extensively in the USA, Europe, and Asia. She has trained hundreds of students in the field of Bharata Natyam. Prakash received the "Best Guru" award from Madras Music Academy, Chennai, India in 2001.