Christina Prakanthan

🪔 About

Christina Prakanthan, born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer, educator, choreographer, researcher, and cultural practitioner. She commenced her Bharatanatyam training at the age of two and a half or three. Her foundational training was under Smt. Husseini Hariram, a disciple of Dr. Padma Subramaniam, followed by tutelage from Smt. Anusha Tharmarajah and Smt. Suryakala Chandrika Jeevananthan. She successfully completed her Arangetram in Colombo in 2002. At the age of 13, she was conferred the title 'Natya Vishaaradha' by the Bhathkande Sangeeth Vidhyapeet, New Delhi. Prakanthan holds a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Bharatanatyam from the University of Madras and pursued further specialization at the Attakalari Centre for Movement Arts in Bangalore. For many years, she has been under the mentorship of Kalaimamani Dr. Lakshmi Ramaswamy, Founder-Director of Sri Mudhraalaya, Chennai, where she also completed a Teacher Training Diploma in Bharatanatyam. She is also undergoing training in Vilasini Natyam from Padmabhushan Swapna Sundari and has received training in Nattuvangam and Abhinaya from Smt. Indira Kadambi. Additionally, she has trained in Carnatic Vocal Music. In 2012, Christina Prakanthan co-founded Natyatharu School of Dance with her elder sister Daveena Langton. Based in Western Melbourne, Australia, the school also runs classes in Florida, USA. Prakanthan has served as the inaugural President of the Bharathanatyam Acharya Association of Victoria (BAAVA) for five years, playing a pivotal role in establishing graded examinations. She is also a Community Leader of the Melton City Council and a board member of the Intercultural Advisory Committee of Melton. Her contributions to the arts and community have been recognized with several awards, including 'Artist of the year' in 2016 by the Senior Citizens Benevolence Society of Victoria and the title 'Nava Mouthika' from her guru, Dr. Lakshmi Ramaswamy. Awards & Honours: Natya Vishaaradha, Artist of the year (2016), Nava Mouthika, Outstanding Achievers Award for Dance (Bharatanatyam Final Examinations) (2003), Gold Medallist in Solo Bharatanatyam at Sri-Lankan British Arts Festival (2002), Gold Medallist in Solo Bharatanatyam at Sri-Lankan British Arts Festival (2003), 1st Runner Up in Western Province Dance Competition, Sri-Lanka (1997), Outstanding Achievers Award in Organisational Development (MBA) (2010), Semi-Finalist in Reality TV show 'Dhimithakatha' – Season 1 (2004), Top 5 Dancers of 1st Naatiya Mazil Dance competition, Colombo, Sri-Lanka (2004), Most Popular Kids Activities (Natyatharu School of Dance) (2024), Most Popular Kids Activities (Natyatharu School of Dance) (2025).