Christina Chennat

🪔 About

Christina Prakanthan is a distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher, choreographer, and researcher based in Western Melbourne, Australia. Her journey in dance began at the early age of three in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She received foundational training under the esteemed guidance of the Late Useni Hariram, a disciple of Dr. Padma Subramaniam, and further honed her skills under Smt. Anusha Tharmarajah and Dr. Suryakala Jeevananthan. Prakanthan successfully completed her Arangetram in 2002 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. At the age of 13, she was honored with the prestigious title of 'Natya Visharadha' by the Bathkande Sangeeth Vidyapeet, Delhi. Christina Prakanthan pursued higher education in movement arts at the Attakalari Centre for Movement Arts and holds a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Bharatanatyam from the University of Madras. She has been under the mentorship of Kalaimamani Dr. Lakshmi Ramaswamy, a renowned research scholar in Chennai, and completed a Teacher Training Diploma in Bharatanatyam at Srimudralaya, Chennai. Her training also includes advanced studies in the Koodiyattam actor's training system (Navarasa Sadhana) and Vilasini Natyam from Padmabhushan Swapna Sundari. As the founder and director of Natyatharu School of Dance in Western Melbourne, Australia, established in 2012, she imparts her extensive knowledge to students. Prakanthan served as the inaugural President of the Bharathanatyam Acharya Association of Victoria, Australia, for five years, playing a pivotal role in establishing and promoting Bharatanatyam graded examinations. She was honored with the title of 'Nava Mouthika' by her guru, Dr. Lakshmi Ramaswamy, and received the 'Artist of the year' award in 2016 from the Senior Citizens Benevolence Society of Victoria. Christina is also a community leader within the Melton City Council. Awards & Honours: Natya Visharadha, Nava Mouthika, Artist of the year (2016).