Dr. Amlu Natesan is proving that you don’t have to choose between passion and profession. Born in Chennai and raised in California, Amlu has seamlessly balanced a career in medicine with her lifelong love for dance. From learning Bharatanatyam at the age of five to mastering Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Bollywood, she even founded and captained the UC Berkeley college dance team. In 2010, she became the first choreographer in the U.S. Hindi Film dance circuit to bring Kollywood to the stage—a testament to her dedication to both her Tamil roots and the art of movement.
Now, Amlu is taking on a new challenge: competing in Ciara’s ‘Dance Icon’ competition, where the winner earns a spot in the singer’s next hip-hop music video. Out of thousands of competitors, Amlu has advanced to the semi-finals, placing her in the top 1% of contestants. As the only Tamil American dancer still in the contest, she hopes to inspire others by proving that pursuing both medicine and dance is possible.
Amlu is also the co-founder of Doctors Who Dance (DWD), a platform she started with her best friend, Meghna Bhatter—another talented dancer and Internal Medicine/Pediatrics doctor. The two met as co-captains of their college dance team and launched DWD during residency to encourage movement, creativity, and advocacy within their community. Beyond sharing dance videos, they teach classes and choreograph for various events. Their performances have even earned them spots on major platforms like NBC’s America’s Got Talent, NBA half-time shows, and as opening acts for icons like Diana Ross and Gloria Estefan in Las Vegas.
For Amlu, winning Dance Icon isn’t just about dancing on a big stage—it’s about representation, breaking stereotypes, and celebrating the beauty of a dual career in medicine and the arts.
Support her journey by voting daily until March 27th at danceicon.org/2025/amlu-natesan!
Follow Amlu and Meghna’s journey on Instagram: @doctorswhodance.
