Subhalakshmi (Bushu) Narayana

Subhalakshmi (Bushu) Narayana
1954-2026

Subhalakshmi Narayana, known to so many simply as “Bushu,” passed away after a long battle with lung disease, with her children and husband by her side.

Bushu approached life with wonder and saw possibility everywhere. Much of Bushu’s early life was spent on movie sets in her beloved hometown of Madras, India, where she cultivated a lifelong love of the arts, culture, and storytelling. She was the proud daughter of legendary film producer D.L. Narayana and Nancharama, and needed little to no coaxing to share stories of her experience dancing in her father’s film, Eka Veera. While her father traveled to produce films, Bushu was also raised by P.A. and Rajam Sundaram, who instilled in her the importance of learning and family. In her late adolescence, she lived for a time in Calcutta, soaking up the language and vibrant culture of the city and expanding her multilingualism further.

After marrying, Bushu immigrated with her family to New Jersey, raising three children who she singlehandedly shuttled to practices, rehearsals, lessons, and performances often with an open coffee cup in hand. She wanted her children to experience all the beauty that life had to offer and always met them with unflinching encouragement.

Bushu was part of a cohort of Indian Americans, including a large extended family, who created a rich cultural tapestry for their community. Notably, one of her favorite times of the year was the Hindu holiday of Navaratri, when she would transform her home into a festive space for folklore, traditional foods, and community gathering. Bushu was also a founding board member and long-time volunteer at the Radha Krishna Temple in New Jersey, helping it grow and transform into an established cultural institution. She was also a founding member and active participant for over 20 years of the Desi Singers Group, acted in several stage dramas and choreographed countless dance performances. Indeed, Bushu was an accomplished dancer - if music was playing, she would find the center of the circle and put on a show for her friends and family. She was also an incredible and inventive cook, taking great joy in preparing meals and hosting friends and family in her home. And she could cajole even the most stubborn plants to flower and flourish in her care.

Bushu was a central node in her friend groups and she relished in connecting people while also being a fiercely loyal friend. To be in her presence was to feel the power of unconditional love that her friends and family will continue to experience. When she needed it the most, this love was refracted back to her time and time again by her friends and family.

In addition to being a practitioner and patron of the arts and culture, Bushu worked for more than two decades at the New Jersey Medical Board. She took pride in assisting physicians take the final steps to becoming licensed to practice. And in her retirement, Bushu loved spending time with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren. She delighted in caring for them through play, making their favorite foods, sharing stories, and creating and sharing art. Bushu and her friends met regularly for gatherings that were filled with abundant laughter, delicious food, debates and discussions about the state of the world, and of course, music. She began and ended everyday telling her kids that she loved them.

Subhalakshmi Narayana is survived by her husband (Aswartha), her brother (Raju) and his family, her children (Lalitha, Veena, and Krishna), her sons-in-law (Matt and Alan), and her grandchildren (Sabine, Kiran, Navin, Luca, and Bodhi). She is predeceased by her parents and her sister, Jaya.

We have no doubt Bushu is now dancing up a storm to the delight of her ancestors.

**Funeral Information: **
Funeral Puja, Viewing and Last Rites
*Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
*Time: 1:00 pm - 2:45 pm (EST USA)
*Location: Franklin Memorial Park
1800 Rt 27
North Brunwick, NJ 08902

*** Cremation will be private for the immediate family ****

Arrangements are under the respectful care and direction of Funeral Director: Christine Cuoco of Ruby Memorial Funeral Home.
Family & Friends may offer prayers and condolences at: www.rubymemorialhome.com