Bijoy Anand Shivram

🪔 About

Bijoy Anand Shivram is an accomplished Indian classical dancer, primarily known as a Bharatanatyam exponent, who has also trained and performed in Kuchipudi, Kathak, Kathakali, and Odissi. Born in Vijayawada, he is the son of veteran journalist K. Shivram and Amni Shivram, one of India's first women journalists. He began his dance journey at the age of seven, inspired by his sister, Neethi Rani Shivram, and had his arangetram alongside her, an event that garnered significant media attention for being a rare brother-sister classical dance duo. Shivram's extensive training includes guidance from a distinguished list of gurus and mentors such as V. Mydhili, Radha and Bhasker Menon, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Mallika Sarabhai, Pathagudy S. Ramaswamy, Maheswari Nagarajan, Radha Ramachandran Menon, Kumudhini Lakhia, and Prof. C. V. Chandrasekhar. He holds a Diploma in Fine Arts from MS University, Baroda. His career saw a significant period at the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad, where he initially joined as a graphic designer but actively participated in various productions, performing and contributing to costumes, sets, and lighting. Currently based in Ahmedabad, India, Bijoy Anand Shivram serves as the Principal of JG College of Performing Arts and holds the position of Assistant Director (Operations) overseeing 17 JG colleges. He is also the founder of Preksha, a non-profit organization established around 1991, dedicated to the promotion of art and culture. With nearly four decades in classical dance as of 2016, he is recognized for his solo and group performances, workshops, and dance dramas, many of which are for charity. Since 2020, he has curated the YouTube series 'Gurudakshina - An Ode to our Gurus,' celebrating the legacy of mentorship and tradition in Indian classical dance. He is noted for challenging stereotypes associated with male classical dancers, emphasizing a masculine approach to the art form.