Nirmala Madhava

🪔 About

Nirmala Madhava is a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, recognized internationally as a master solo performer and an innovative choreographer. Her foundational journey in dance commenced at the age of eight under the tutelage of the late Guru Lalitha Dorai, continuing with the late Guru Narmada. She further honed her Bharatanatyam skills through advanced training guided by Guru Sri Lakshmi Narayanachar Udupi. In parallel, Madhava delved into Kathak, mastering the Lucknow Gharana style from Dr. Maya Rao of the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography in Bangalore, India. She holds a B.A. in dance from Bangalore University. Based in California, Nirmala Madhava serves as the creative director and chief choreographer of PAMPA Dance Academy, an institution co-founded by Purna Prasad in 1992 with a vision rooted in the mentorship of Vidwan Sri Gopinath Das. She is also a visiting faculty member in the Creative Arts department at De Anza College in Cupertino, California. Madhava has choreographed numerous traditional and unique compositions in both Bharatanatyam and Kathak, and has trained countless dancers globally. Her versatility extends to Western Tap dancing, which she has skillfully integrated with Kathak in some of her rhythmic presentations. Notable career highlights include her role as a panelist at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival and her collaboration with world-renowned choreographer Lawrence Pech for the San Francisco Opera's production of Aida in 2010. Under her leadership, PAMPA Dance Academy performed for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 and at the North America Ford Executive Conference in 2004.