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I am using this as a draft page to contribute to wikipedia where my interest lies. Please do not delete this. This is not a CV or self promotion article. This article isn't about me. It is about Dr. Padmaja Venkatesh who is a noted Bharatanatyam dancer whom i have watched from close quarters while growing up.

Dr. Padmaja Venkatesh (Suresh) edit

(Dancer - Choreographer - Scholar - Published Author - Researcher)

Dr. Padmaja Venkatesh ( Suresh) [1], an Indian Scholar, academician in the field of Performing Arts ( Bharatanatyam) is a dance exponent - Choreographer of International repute [2][3][4][5][6]. Dr. Padmaja’s interdisciplinary work on correlating the Art of Natya (dance) and Science of Tantra [7], has shed immense light on evolution of Natya from ritualistic practices and has reached scores of audiences through her published books, performances/productions[8] and workshops. Dr. Padmaja’s consistent effort over a period of two decades has witnessed an immense improvement in the lifestyle of 3000 rural children from disadvantageous background, through the project ‘KalaChaitanya’ [9], administered by ‘Aatmalaya Academy’ [10][11] a premier  institute for Dance and Music, founded by her. ‘KalaChaitanya’ also provides skill advancement to the participating families, to take up opportunities to sustain themselves and the next generation by imparting dance education integrated with patriotic values.  

As an accomplished performer, Dr.Padmaja has a record of 1200 dance performances in India and about 250 in 32 nations at prestigious centers and top Universities. Her dance productions, both solo, and group, have earned widespread acclaim, with works like ‘Ritu Sringara’ - interweaving regional Hindi poetry and miniatures, taking the audience on a visual journey back in time.  While her production ,’Navadarshanam’ explores the significance of the number nine in ancient Indian Scriptures, the production  'Ekam Sat' - beautifully strings the poetry from revered figures like Kabir, Tagore, Bharatiyar, Kuvempu, and Gandhi together, creating a seamless amalgamation of devotion and patriotism.

Dr. Padmaja Venkatesh is also a sought after speaker to engage and elevate audience on the topics - Importance of rituals and traditional arts, philosophical significance and spiritual goals[12].

At present, Dr. Padmaja Venkatesh lives in Bengaluru, India and serves as an Assistant Professor at University of SiliconAndhra,USA [13]and as an External Examiner for other educational institutions.

Early life -  Education - Personal Life

Padmaja was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra on 4th of September 1967 to Sri K.K. Rajan(India’s first batch of cost accountants) and Smt. Devika Rajan, a devoted couple from the Phalghat region of Kerala. Her elder brother, K.R.Shriram serves in the judiciary and her elder sister Smt. Kanchana Narayanan fondly shared her passion for dance with Dr.Padmaja through out her growing years.

Padmaja did her schooling at Chembur Karnataka High school, Mumbai. She graduated from R.A. Poddar College, with a Bachelors degree in Commerce and with a  Bachelor of Law degree from K.C. Law College, affiliated to University of Mumbai. Padmaja also has a diploma in choreography from Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography, Bengaluru, Master of Arts in Philosophy from University of Bangalore and PhD in philosophy and dance from University of Mysore.  

Hailing from a family of eminent artists like Maddalam Sri Vengichhaswami and nurtured by her father Sri Chakyar Rajan (An eminent exponent of Kerala temple art Chakyar Koothu), Dr. Padmaja was initiated into dance by Guru Kalamandalam Rajalakshmi. Then on, Dr. Padmaja arduously trained under her mentor Guru, the stalwart of Tanjore tradition, Nadabrahmam Guru Sri. T.K.Kalyanasundaram [14](Senior fellow of Central SNA and a Padma Awardee) for over seventeen years. Dr. Padmaja has attended workshops of prominent Gurus like Guru Sri. Mahalingam Pillai, Guru Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, Guru Smt. Maya Rao, Guru Sri. Kadirvelu and Guru Dr. Padma Subramanyam to imbibe their specialized expertise in the field of Bharatanatyam, to create her own unique style of presenting concepts which displays her deep intellect and spiritual nature.

Dr. Padmaja Venkatesh is married to Shri C.V. Venkatesh. They have two children.

Productions

Productions of Dr. Padmaja mainly delve on Prakriti and Purusha, the most recent being ‘Kali to Krishna’ being performed at various venues across India and UK. Her productions are well researched, scripture based and include socially relevant themes with multimedia presentation, where required to aid audience to follow the nuances of her dance and theme. Several of her productions are staged at world theaters across the globe including online platforms.  Her other notable productions include 'Sarpeva Jivha - serpent tongue' - On the boneless organ capable of transforming you or pushing you to the darkest corner, 'Yantra, Mantra, Tantra', 'Adi Antam' - On the significance of numbers 1 to 10 aptly presented for 10 days of Mysore Dasara , 'Shaivam'  - features of Shaivism, adapting verses from Shaiva Siddhantic works like Tirumular & Kashmir Shaivisic works like Abhinavabharati & Vignanabhairava.

Performances on world stages

Described as a “complete Bharatanatyam dancer” who has achieved “celestial height of ecstatic perfection” at the start of her dance career by well known critics like Hima Bindu and Sulochana Saralaya , Dr. Padmaja Ventakesh, continues to inspire younger dance professionals and contemporaries alike, with her works on stage and off stage. Her international performance began with her tour to China & Singapore with her Guru Kalyanasundaram through ICCR in 1989. Dr. Padmaja’s performance was also hosted by ICCR in their other centers at Bangkok, Columbo and Bhutan and multiple times at their London center as solo artist. On various occasions, Dr.Padmaja has performed at Raj Bhavans in Mumbai, Sikkim and nearly 7 times in her home town Bengaluru.  The prestigious Music Academy, Chennai has hosted Dr. Padmaja twice.

Publications

As a published author, Dr. Padmaja Venkatesh, has two published books [15][16] and one awaiting release and many other research papers published in peer reviewed, high impact journals[17][18]. Her dance column ‘Metaphysics in Natya’ [19] was published until 2020 in the leading national news paper ‘The Hindu’.

Awards and Recognitions

  • Karnataka Kalashri [SNA, Government of Karnataka, 2021/22] [20],
  • Senior Fellowship Award 2021-22, Ministry of Culture, Government of India [21]
  • Stree Shakti Samman [Telangana Chamber of Commerce 2021][22]
  • AjanthaVishwakalaratna award , 2018
  • Sri D Subbramiah Trust Award, 2017 [23]
  • Karamveer Chakra and Rex Global Fellow- ICONGO, Delhi, 2014
  • Nartana Nipuna – Karnataka Nrityakalaparishad, 2013
  • Bharatakala Sreshtha- Shankara Mutt, Bilaspur, 2012
  • Kiran Achiever for National Women’s Excellence, Women’s International Network, Delhi, 2010
  • Singara Mani, Sur Singar Samsad, 1990

Other Contributions

Dr. Padmaja Venkatesh has contributed as an E module content writer for MHRD, Government of India and Module writer for UGC E-Pathshala project, Department of dance,M.S.University, Baroda, 2016. She has directed a TV Serial ‘Natya Tantra’ telecasted through Shankara Channel, with 56 episodes spanning 2 years. Dr. Padmaja was invited to speak at the World Sanskrit conference on ‘Mantra Yantra Tantra and Natya’ and at Parliament of World Religions on ‘The unifying force of Natya’.  She has conducted several workshops around the world pertaining to esoteric study of dance, emphasizing spiritual foundation of Indian Dance.  

As a chosen citizen who has shared knowledge and skills beyond norms, Dr. Padmaja Venkatesh has been featured in two books by author Savitha Rao published in the year 2020 [24] and 2021 [25] respectively'. Ashish Mohan Khokar’s  India’s only year book on dance , Attendance  2011- 2012 Ashtanayikas has featured Dr. Padmaja with a brief about her PhD thesis. Dr. Padmaja was a featured icon [26] on M4tTv Australia in 2016 and she was also hailed as a leader and a role model [27] by Asianetnews.

References edit

  1. ^ Admin, Super. "Padmaja Venkatesh (Suresh) –". Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT). Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  2. ^ https://news.wwu.edu/western-to-host-indian-dance-expert-padmaja-suresh-for-a-lecture-and-performance-on-march-1
  3. ^ janie.magruder (2016-02-16). "Students get new perspectives on dance in spring work". GCU News. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  4. ^ "All presenters and presentation documents - World Sanskrit Conference - Australian National University".
  5. ^ https://embassyofindiabangkok.gov.in/SVCC/albumimage/NjI,
  6. ^ https://www.parmarth.org/updates/iyf2014.pdf
  7. ^ "Article - the Science of Tantra and the Art of Natya: A co-relative study - Dr. Padmaja Venkatesh (Suresh)".
  8. ^ "Rasānubhava - the art experience | Sindhubhairavi". sindhubhairavi.com.au. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  9. ^ "Breaking barriers in Bharatanatyam". The New Indian Express. 14 May 2017. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  10. ^ Aatmalaya. "Aatmalaya". Aatmalaya. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  11. ^ "Bharatanatyam Institutions in Karnataka, India".
  12. ^ https://ignca.gov.in/invitations/internation-seminar-puducherry.pdf
  13. ^ "Faculty – University of SiliconAndhra". Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  14. ^ "Guru K Kalyanasundaram". www.narthaki.com. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  15. ^ Suresh, Padmaja (2012-01-01). Tantra The Science and Natya The Art: The Two Faceted Reality. Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications. ISBN 978-81-7030-941-3.
  16. ^ SURESH, DR PADMAJA (2016-05-04). THE LIBERATING DANCE -NATYA TANTRA: TRANSCENDENCE OF DANCER & SPECTATOR. AATMALAYA ACADEMY OF ART AND CULTURE TRUST.
  17. ^ Salgaonkar, Ambuja; Suresh, Padmaja Venkatesh; Sindhu, P. M. (2023). "Automatic Mapping of BharatNAtyam Margam to Sri Chakra Dance". In Salgaonkar, Ambuja; Velankar, Makarand (eds.). Computer Assisted Music and Dramatics. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing. Vol. 1444. Singapore: Springer Nature. pp. 179–203. doi:10.1007/978-981-99-0887-5_12. ISBN 978-981-99-0887-5.
  18. ^ Kalyanasundaram, Megh; Trust, Aatmalaya (2020-01-01). "Landscape in the Nāṭyaśāstra and clues to its spatial origin: A study in 2019". IGNCA Samikshika (Forthcoming).
  19. ^ https://www.thehindu.com/society/dadi-janki-simply-white-simply-beautiful/article31300486.ece https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/the-five-act-play-called-universe/article30105624.ece https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/abhinavaguptas-defination-of-moksha/article28783844.ece
  20. ^ "Information - Highlights 2022". narthaki.com. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  21. ^ "Result of Junior and Senior Fellowship Scheme for the batch year 2021-22" (PDF).
  22. ^ TCEI Stree Shakti Awards 2021 Highlights | TCEI Stree Shakti Awards 2021 Highlights || Hybiz tv . . . . . . . . . . . #SmitaSabharwal #SmitaSabharwalIPS #TelanganaChamberofEventsIndustry... | By Hybiz Tv | Facebook, retrieved 2023-11-15
  23. ^ "Information - Highlights 2017". narthaki.com. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  24. ^ "Putting India First : India Positive Citizen Perspectiv…". Goodreads. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  25. ^ RAO, SAVITHA (2020-07-31). India Positive Citizen – Building A Great Nation One Action At A Time. Wings Publication. ISBN 978-93-5408-366-2.
  26. ^ The ICON | Dr. Padmaja Venkatesh Suresh with Shyama Sasidharan | M4Tv, retrieved 2023-11-14
  27. ^ Padmaja Suresh role model to others സൗജന്യമായി നൃത്തം അഭ്യസിപ്പിച്ച് പദ്മജാ സുരേഷ്, retrieved 2023-11-14
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