Artists’ Profiles | Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT)

Date of Birth/Age

May 21, 1954

Education

Masters (Theatre and Television) from University of New Orleans, USA

Field of expertise

Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam, Kathakali, Dancer/Choreographer/Cultural Activist

Academic/Professional activities

As Artistic Director of Arangham Dance Theatre conducts research and documentation of a tenth century dance tradition – Arayer Sevai and an ancient thirteenth century ritual theatre tradition – Kaisiki Natakam.
Co-produces and Co-Artistic Director of India’s only annual avant-garde arts Festival in Chennai, THE OTHER FESTIVAL
Founder & Consulting Editor of www.narthaki.com
An active board member on many Indian and international dance and theatre companies
Currently a Ph.D candidate in women’s studies, doing research on the role of ancient ritual theatre in a contemporary context.
Trained in Bharatanatyam (1969–1978) and the Kerala dance-theatre traditions of Mohiniattam (1968–1978) and Kathakali (1968–1978).
Anita as a performer and choreographer, embraces both the traditional and contemporary streams of Indian dance which she has presented widely in India and abroad. She is also a respected and sought-after cultural commentator on dance and Indian culture.
She has been invited to chair seminars and dance conferences around the world. In 2002, she was invited as an observer to the Post Modern Dance Festival at Leipzig, Germany (2002)

Name of the institution(s) you associated with

Sree Bharathalaya , Chennai.
Sri Krishna Gana Sabha,Chennai.
RASA, Chennai.
Prakriti Foundation ,Chennai.
Alliance Francaise de Madras.
The British Council.
US Office of Public Affairs.
Max Mueller Bhavan.
Committee for Endowments to Cultural Institutions, Govt. of India (1996-98).

Honours/Awards/Fellowships,etc.

NATYA KIREETA RATNAM AWARD for services to the field of dance and ritual performances, (2005)
SAHRUDAYA RANJAKA Bharat Vikas Parishad, Chennai, presented by Srimad Azhagiyasingar, the 45th Seer of Sri Ahobila Mutt, (2004) Nungambakkam Cultural Academy, (2004)
PRICE AWARDShakespeare Millennium Club, Chennai (2004)
WEB AWARDS 2004 – GOLD Amsterdam, Holland For www.anitaratnam.com (2004)
ALTERNATIVE POETRY WORLD COMPETITION – FIRST PRIZE Aberdeen, Scotland For www.anitaratnam.com(2004)
INDEPENDENT ART HOUSE WEBSITE FESTIVAL –FIRST PRIZE Stockholm,Sweden For www.anitaratnam.com 2004
LALITHAKALA RATNA Sri Lalithakala Academy Foundation Trust (Inc.), Mysore, (2003)
NATYA RATNA Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeeta Sabha, New Delhi, (2003)
VIBRANT INDIAN AWARD Developers’ India, Chennai (2002)
BHARATHA KALA RATHINAM presented by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadhipathi Jagathguru Sri Sankaracharya Swamigal, Kancheepuram, (2001)
WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2000 Citation awarded to 200 best women professionals by the American Biographical Institute, North Carolina, USA
KALAIMANI (For Dance Research) Government of Tamilnadu, Chennai, (1998)
UGADI PURASKAR Telugu Academy, Chennai, (1997)
NRITYA CHOODAMANI Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai, (1996)
SENIOR FELLOWSHIP from Department of Culture, Govt. of India for research in the Tamil Vaishnavite Temple dance tradition of Arayer Sevai, (1996)
BHARATA KALA RATNA Chennai, (1995)
MEDIA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD New York by National Organization of Women (1991)
OUTSTANDING TV AMBASSADOR Cleveland, USA by Federation of Indian Associations (1988)
MAHATMA GANDHI AWARD for Cultural Understanding, New York, (1986)
SINGARMANI Mumbai, (1975)
ARUT KALAI SELVI Government of Tamilnadu, (1974)
SUR SINGAR SANSAD Mumbai, (1971)
NRITYAKALA SHIROMANI UNESCO Award for Outstanding Young Artiste, (1970)

Books/Articles authored

Natya Brahman (1979) Her first Book on the comparative drama traditions of India and Greece, Narthaki (1992 & 1996) – a directory of classical Indian dance Several articles on dance and theatre in publications in India and abroad.

Any association with foreign institution(s)

Dance Alloy (Pittsburgh, USA)
Pangea World Theatre (Minneapolis, USA)
Everett Dance Theatre (Rhode Island, USA)
Lotus Music & Dance (New York, USA)
Anjali School of Performing Arts (Houston, USA)
Sampradaya Dance Creations (Ontario, Canada)
Freeman Repertory Theatre (New York, USA)
Apsara Arts (Singapore)

MEMBER:- International Advisory Board, Pangea World Theatre, Minneapolis, USA, – International Advisory Board, Preaksha Dance, Toronto, Canada – Dance Critics Association – USA, (1987) OBSERVER – Post Modern Dance Festival, Leipzig, Germany (2002)

Date of Birth/Age	June 21, 1979
Education	B.Sc (H) Biochemistry, Delhi University M.A.(Arts and Aesthetics), JNU, New Delhi
Field of expertise	Classical dance Bharatanatyam
Academic/Professional activities	Performing Artiste and Teacher, Anuradha is empanelled artiste of Indian Council of Cultural Relations and ‘A’ Grade artiste of Delhi Doordarshan.
Name of the institution(s) you associated with	Ganesa Natyalaya and Delhi Tamil Sangam
Honours/Awards/Fellowships,etc.	NATIONAL AND STATE LEVEL SCHOLARSHIP FOR DANCE, BALASARASWATHY AWARD, Sri Ragam Fine Arts, Chennai
Books/Articles authored	Assisted in authoring the book – “Classical Dances of India” by Saroja Vaidyanathan
Any association with foreign institution(s)	Worked as a Dance Lecturer at KNUA, Seoul, (2001)
Any other information	Conducted lecture demonstration series in KNUA – Seoul IRCEN-India

Date of Birth/Age	January 1, 1978
Education	Bachelor of Commerce and Electronic Commerce
Field of expertise	Bharatanatyam performer
Academic/Professional activities	Has performed on prestigious occasions at major Cultural Centres in India which include Hampi Utsav;Thunga Utsav;Narada Gana Sabha festival, Chennai, Island Festival, Andaman and Nicobar; Mysore Dasara Maha Utsav; Abhinav National Dance Festival and for every Friday evening cultural programme at Yavanika under the aegis of Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Anuradha Vikrant is a new generation dance artiste totally dedicated to promote Indian dance. As creative Director and Publisher of ‘Drishti’ an exclusive magazine on dance and music she is doubly devoted.
Name of the institution(s) you associated with	Drishti Art Centre, Shantala Dance Academy, Bangalore
Honours/Awards/Fellowships,etc.	NCreative Director – “Drishti” – A quarterly magazine on Dance and Music
Any other information	Anuradha Vikranth belongs to a new generation of dance artistes who has been trained in Bharatanatyam by Guru Smt. Nirupama Rajendra and Guru Smt. Narmada of Bangalore. Anu’s performances have always enthralled art lovers, connoisseurs of dance & critics from all over India & abroad. Her performances showcase both the traditional Indian classical dance idiom and the evolving contemporary Indian dance form. She has given number of performances on prestigious occasions at major cultural centres of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad.

Date of Birth/Age	October 13, 1976
Education	M.A. (Mass Communication)
Field of expertise	Bharatanatyam, Nattuvangam and Carnatic Music
Academic/Professional activities	Her solo performances include at Bharat Kalachar, The Music Academy, Kartik Fine Arts, Nungambakkam Cultural Academy Trust and Kalapradarshini Sabhas. She has participated in Ramayana, Shakthi Prabhavam, Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum, Ekameva Na Dvayam, Vande Guhem, Umasuthem, Shankara Loka Shankara and Silappadhikaram among other prestigious dance dramas. A ‘B-Grade’ Bharatanatyam dance artiste of Chennai Doordarshan Kendra, Aruna has featured on Doordarshan and Sun TV.
Name of the institution(s) you associated with	Shree Bharatalaya, Chennai
Honours/Awards/Fellowships,etc.	BHARATHA MANI from Saiva Neri (2004) BHARATHA KALA BHUSHANA from Shree Bharatalaya (2002) YUVA KALA BHARATHI from Bharat Kalahar (2001) SINDHU SUKUMARAM TROPHY (1999) DANCE SCHOLARSHIP from the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, New Delhi (1990-97)
Books/Articles authored	Was on the editing team of Laghu Bharatam (Vol.I, II, III) handbooks on Bharatanatyam
Any association with foreign institution(s)	Was deputed to conduct dance classes at Silambam (an alliance of Shree Bharatalaya), Geneva (Switzerland)
Any other information	A performing artiste and an arts - journalist, Aruna has helped Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy her Guru in Natya Darshan, a seminar on dance

Artists' Profile

Anita Ratnam

Anupama Menon

Anuradha Venkataraman

Anuradha Vikranth

Arjun Mishra

Aruna Subbiah

Date of Birth/Age	June 13, 1981
Education	Masters in Mohiniyattam
Field of expertise	Mohiniyattam
Academic/Professional activities	Has performed at various festivals and prestigious functions
Name of the institution(s) you associated with	Sri Sankara University, Kaladi, RV College of dance
Honours/Awards/Fellowships,etc.	Won several honours including at the national level for the inter university competition.

Date of Birth/Age	July 1, 1958
Education	Specialisation in Kathak dance
Field of expertise	Kathak Dance - Sr. Guru, Choreographer, Dancer
Academic/Professional activities	Has performed in several Cultural Centres in India and abroad at Rossela Fanelli Kathak Centre, Argilla Teatri, Amo Roma, Nuovi Equillbri, Viterbo, ISIAO, Scuola di Dauza Citta de Viterbo, Commume di Viterbo, I.A.L.S in Rome, Italy
Name of the institution(s) you associated with	Kathak Kendra, Delhi, Kadam, Ahmedabad
Honours/Awards/Fellowships,etc.	NAUSHAD, Lucknow, Govt. of U.P. 1995 SWAMI HARIDAS SAMMAN – Lucknow 1994• MONAL, Lucknow-1994 Meera Mahotsava ‘LALLAN PIYA KATHAK NRITYA MANI’, Farrukhabad-1993 NATRAJ Bhagalpur-1978 NRITYA PRABHAKAR Allahabad(1974)

Date of Birth/Age	May 21, 1954
Education	Masters (Theatre and Television) from University of New Orleans, USA
Field of expertise	Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam, Kathakali, Dancer/Choreographer/Cultural Activist
Academic/Professional activities	As Artistic Director of Arangham Dance Theatre conducts research and documentation of a tenth century dance tradition – Arayer Sevai and an ancient thirteenth century ritual theatre tradition – Kaisiki Natakam. Co-produces and Co-Artistic Director of India’s only annual avant-garde arts Festival in Chennai, THE OTHER FESTIVAL Founder & Consulting Editor of www.narthaki.com An active board member on many Indian and international dance and theatre companies Currently a Ph.D candidate in women’s studies, doing research on the role of ancient ritual theatre in a contemporary context. Trained in Bharatanatyam (1969–1978) and the Kerala dance-theatre traditions of Mohiniattam (1968–1978) and Kathakali (1968–1978). Anita as a performer and choreographer, embraces both the traditional and contemporary streams of Indian dance which she has presented widely in India and abroad. She is also a respected and sought-after cultural commentator on dance and Indian culture. She has been invited to chair seminars and dance conferences around the world. In 2002, she was invited as an observer to the Post Modern Dance Festival at Leipzig, Germany (2002)
Name of the institution(s) you associated with	Sree Bharathalaya , Chennai. Sri Krishna Gana Sabha,Chennai. RASA, Chennai. Prakriti Foundation ,Chennai. Alliance Francaise de Madras. The British Council. US Office of Public Affairs. Max Mueller Bhavan. Committee for Endowments to Cultural Institutions, Govt. of India (1996-98).
Honours/Awards/Fellowships,etc.	NATYA KIREETA RATNAM AWARD for services to the field of dance and ritual performances, (2005) SAHRUDAYA RANJAKA Bharat Vikas Parishad, Chennai, presented by Srimad Azhagiyasingar, the 45th Seer of Sri Ahobila Mutt, (2004) Nungambakkam Cultural Academy, (2004) PRICE AWARDShakespeare Millennium Club, Chennai (2004) WEB AWARDS 2004 – GOLD Amsterdam, Holland For www.anitaratnam.com (2004) ALTERNATIVE POETRY WORLD COMPETITION – FIRST PRIZE Aberdeen, Scotland For www.anitaratnam.com(2004) INDEPENDENT ART HOUSE WEBSITE FESTIVAL –FIRST PRIZE Stockholm,Sweden For www.anitaratnam.com 2004 LALITHAKALA RATNA Sri Lalithakala Academy Foundation Trust (Inc.), Mysore, (2003) NATYA RATNA Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeeta Sabha, New Delhi, (2003) VIBRANT INDIAN AWARD Developers’ India, Chennai (2002) BHARATHA KALA RATHINAM presented by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadhipathi Jagathguru Sri Sankaracharya Swamigal, Kancheepuram, (2001) WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2000 Citation awarded to 200 best women professionals by the American Biographical Institute, North Carolina, USA KALAIMANI (For Dance Research) Government of Tamilnadu, Chennai, (1998) UGADI PURASKAR Telugu Academy, Chennai, (1997) NRITYA CHOODAMANI Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai, (1996) SENIOR FELLOWSHIP from Department of Culture, Govt. of India for research in the Tamil Vaishnavite Temple dance tradition of Arayer Sevai, (1996) BHARATA KALA RATNA Chennai, (1995) MEDIA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD New York by National Organization of Women (1991) OUTSTANDING TV AMBASSADOR Cleveland, USA by Federation of Indian Associations (1988) MAHATMA GANDHI AWARD for Cultural Understanding, New York, (1986) SINGARMANI Mumbai, (1975) ARUT KALAI SELVI Government of Tamilnadu, (1974) SUR SINGAR SANSAD Mumbai, (1971) NRITYAKALA SHIROMANI UNESCO Award for Outstanding Young Artiste, (1970)
Books/Articles authored	Natya Brahman (1979) Her first Book on the comparative drama traditions of India and Greece, Narthaki (1992 & 1996) – a directory of classical Indian dance Several articles on dance and theatre in publications in India and abroad.
Any association with foreign institution(s)	Dance Alloy (Pittsburgh, USA) Pangea World Theatre (Minneapolis, USA) Everett Dance Theatre (Rhode Island, USA) Lotus Music & Dance (New York, USA) Anjali School of Performing Arts (Houston, USA) Sampradaya Dance Creations (Ontario, Canada) Freeman Repertory Theatre (New York, USA) Apsara Arts (Singapore) MEMBER:- International Advisory Board, Pangea World Theatre, Minneapolis, USA, – International Advisory Board, Preaksha Dance, Toronto, Canada – Dance Critics Association – USA, (1987) OBSERVER – Post Modern Dance Festival, Leipzig, Germany (2002)