Keerthanna Jothiraman

🪔 About

Keerthanna Jothiraman is a distinguished Kuchipudi dancer and Carnatic vocalist with over two decades of experience in Indian classical arts. Her artistic journey began at age five with Bharatanatyam, before she was introduced to Kuchipudi at eight by the late Guru Smt. Chitti Durga Devi, a senior disciple of Guru Vempati Chinna Sathyam and director of Nartana Dance School. Jothiraman performed the renowned Bala Gopala Tarangam at nine and made her Rangapravesham at age twelve at Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan Chennai, under the patronage of Bharat Ratna Sri. C. Subramaniam. Following the passing of her first guru in 2007, she continued her Kuchipudi training for seven years under Acharya Dr. Sathyapriya at the NARTANASALA school of dance. Jothiraman has graced numerous stages across India, delivering over 200 performances and taking on lead roles in significant dance dramas such as "Girija Kalyanam," "Bhrigu Valli," "Gangavatharanam" (portraying Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Ganga), "Sri Krishna Parijatham" (as Lord Krishna), and "Shivoham." A graded artist of Chennai Doordarshan, Keerthanna Jothiraman is also a talented choreographer and musician. She has choreographed and performed in jugalbandhis like "Raamayaneeyam" and "Sapthatharangini," and composed music for her acclaimed performance "Sanga Vaazhvu Kalaiaagiradhu," which depicted the lives of women in the Tamil Sangam era. Her musical foundation includes eight years of Carnatic music training under Sri Paramakudi S. Ravindran. Keerthanna Jothiraman is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists. She imparts her knowledge of Kuchipudi through Gaandharva Kshethram Performing Arts in Aurora, Colorado, which she founded in 2018. The academy offers both online and in-person classes, following syllabi from Silicon Andhra University and Griffin College UK. She previously taught at Saaradhi Academy Chennai. Her contributions to the art form have been recognized with prestigious titles including 'NATYA KALA POORNA' in 2010 and 'SWARNA MAYURI' in 2011, in addition to winning first prize in a National Level Kuchipudi Competition in Nellore. Awards & Honours: NATYA KALA POORNA (2010), SWARNA MAYURI (2011), 1st prize in National Level Kuchipudi Competition.