Arunima Kumar

🪔 About

Arunima Kumar is a renowned Kuchipudi dancer, choreographer, and educator, recognized for her significant contributions to Indian classical dance both in India and internationally. Born in Delhi, India, on July 1, 1978, Arunima began her Kuchipudi training at the age of seven. Her initial training was under Padma Bhushan Smt. Swapna Sundari, and she later became a senior disciple of Padmashree Guru JayaRama Rao and Vanasree Rao at the Kuchipudi Dance Academy. At the age of nine, she performed in the ballet "Amrapali". The Kuchipudi Dance Academy formally launched her career in 1995 with her Arangetram (Rangapravesham) at the Triveni Kala Sangam in New Delhi. Beyond her dance career, Arunima holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and an M.Sc. in Finance and Accounting from the London School of Economics, where she also taught briefly. She is also a decorated pistol shooter, having won several medals and a Government of India Sports Talent Search Scholarship. Arunima Kumar is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi's Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskaar for Kuchipudi in 2008, awarded by the President of India. She has performed extensively across more than 50 countries at prestigious venues such as the Sydney Opera House, Rashtrapati Bhawan, and the Nehru Centre in London. Currently based in London, UK, Arunima is the founder and artistic director of the Arunima Kumar Dance Company (AKDC), which operates in London and Delhi. AKDC is recognized as one of the largest Kuchipudi institutions outside India, promoting Indian classical dance, art, and culture globally. She also founded the ARTH Foundation, a charity dedicated to creating artistic projects with social themes, providing free dance training and therapy to underprivileged children, women in prisons (including Tihar Jail), hospital patients, and residents of old age homes. Through her work, she teaches over 250 students annually across the UK, India, and Poland, fostering a global and inclusive movement for Indian classical arts. In 2025, she was awarded the Honorary British Empire Medal (BEM) by King Charles III for her contributions to dance and community service. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi's Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskaar (2008), British Empire Medal (BEM) from King Charles III (2025), Sahitya Kala Parishad Scholarship for Dance (1998), Shringarmani title by Sur Shringar Samsad (2001), Government of India Sports Talent Search Scholarship (1991), One Dance UK's mentoring program (2015), Asian Woman of Achievement Award UK (arts category), Tagore commission (Runners Up) awarded by Pulse and Tagore Center London (2014), UTKARSH Award Commission for choreography in classical dance by Akademi and Arts Council England (2014), FICCI FLO award (2015), Mayor's award UK (Nomination), Recognition at the House of Lords.