Naresh Kumar

🪔 About

Dr. Naresh Pillai, also known as Nareshkumar Rathnasabapathy and Pt. Nareshkumar Pillai, is a versatile Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher, Nattuvanar, educationist, and choreographer. Based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, he is recognized as one of the leading exponents of Bharatanatyam, celebrated both nationally and internationally. His extensive training includes tutelage under esteemed gurus such as Padmashri and Padma Vibhushan Dr. Kanak Rele, Kalainmani Smt. Jayashree Narayanan, and N.S. Jayalakshmi from the prestigious Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai. This rigorous training provided him with a strong foundation in the technical nuances and the philosophical essence of Bharatanatyam, which is evident in his performances that blend precision with emotive storytelling. Dr. Pillai holds a Master's in Fine Arts & Choreography (MFA) from Mumbai University, a Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) from Pondicherry University, and a B.A. in Sanskrit from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Mumbai. He also possesses a doctorate, distinguishing him as both a performer and a scholar. He began his journey of dancing and teaching around 1996. He has traveled extensively, performing in India and abroad, including at the Himachal Pradesh State Festival organized by the Sangeet Natak Academy and the Department of Culture. Dr. Pillai is the founder or leader of Rhythms Group Music & Dance Education, established in 2000, and also runs a dance school called Kalalaya Nrithya Academy in Powai, Mumbai, where his students have achieved state and national level awards. Awards & Honours: Global Achiever Award, Natya Vibhushan.