Kavitha Ramu

🪔 About

Kavitha Ramu is a distinguished Indian classical Bharatanatyam dancer and a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, known for successfully balancing a demanding career in public administration with her passion for dance. Born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, to IAS officer M. Ramu and economics professor Manimegali, Kavitha began her Bharatanatyam training at the tender age of four under Guru Neela Krishnamurthy in Madurai. Neela Krishnamurthy, a sister and Nattuvanar of the renowned Padma Subramanyam, was herself a disciple of the great Vuzhavoor Ramiah Pillai, thus grounding Kavitha in the Vazhuvoor tradition. At eight, Kavitha performed at the Fifth World Tamil Conference in Chidambaram in 1981. Upon moving to Chennai at age ten, she continued her rigorous training for 15 years under the legendary Guru K.J. Sarasa, who is credited with developing the Vazhuvoor style of Bharatanatyam. Kavitha also honed her skills in Nattuvangam under Guru Smt. Indira Rajan. Academically brilliant, she graduated in economics, ranking sixth in her university, and later topped her post-graduation in Public Administration. In 1999, she cleared the Tamil Nadu State Civil Services exams, followed by the highly competitive IAS examination in 2002. As a dancer, Kavitha Ramu is an 'A' Grade artiste of Doordarshan and an empanelled artiste with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) since 1999. She has performed in over 600 stage shows, including playing the lead role of Annamayya in a critically acclaimed Bharatanatyam recital choreographed by Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, which toured the USA and Canada. She has also presented solo recitals in Japan. In the late nineties, she founded her dance school, "Lasya Kavie," which had approximately 60 students. Her administrative career has seen her serve in various capacities, including Deputy Collector, Revenue Divisional Officer, Joint Commissioner, General Manager for Tamil Nadu State Tourism Development Corporation, Director of museums, and District Collector of Pudukkottai. She is currently the Director of Integrated Child Development Scheme. Awards & Honours: Nadanamamani, Yuvakala Bharathi, Balasaraswati Endowment Award, Vipanchi Award, Tanjore Quartet Award, Vels Group Event Award (2026).