Nirmala Visweswara Rao

🪔 About

Dr. Nirmala Visweswara Rao, born on May 29, 1969, in Hyderabad, India, is a distinguished classical dancer proficient in Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam. Her formal dance journey commenced at the age of six under the tutelage of Guru Chinta Rama Murthy, a renowned Kuchipudi exponent from one of the seven traditional families of Kuchipudi village. She further honed her skills in both Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam under the guidance of Prof. Pasumarti Ramalinga Sastry. Dr. Rao also received extensive training in other Indian classical dance forms, including Odissi, Kathak, Manipuri, and Mohiniyattam. [1, 2, 3, 5] She emerged as a professional dancer in 1994. Academically accomplished, she holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Andhra University, a Certificate Course in Dance from Telugu University, an MPA in dance from Central University, and an M.Phil from P.S. Telugu University, Hyderabad. In 2011, she completed her Ph.D. in fine arts, specializing in Kuchipudi and Garaga Nrutyam, from P.S. Telugu University, Hyderabad. [3, 4] In 1995, Dr. Nirmala Visweswara Rao founded Nirmala Nrithya Nikethan in Hyderabad, an institution dedicated to the preservation and propagation of classical Indian dance forms. The academy, recognized by the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Ministry of Culture of India, has nurtured over 2,000 students as of 2015, with Dr. Rao serving as its director and principal instructor. [1, 2, 4, 5] Her choreographic repertoire includes acclaimed ballets such as “Mohini Bhasmasura,” “Shakuntala Parinayam,” “Ananda Thandavam,” “Sri Ramakatha Saram,” “Dasavatharam,” “Kshamaya Dharitri,” and “Sri Krishna Vilasam,” which are inspired by mythological narratives and have been performed across India. She is also recognized for “Bharateeya Nrithya Jhari,” a compilation of various Indian dance forms, and “Sanatana Nartanam,” a conceptual ballet exploring the evolution of dance through the Vedic periods. Dr. Rao has performed extensively in national and international festivals, earning significant acclaim from both critics and connoisseurs. [1, 2, 3, 5] Awards & Honours: NATYA KALA VIDWANMANI (2008), Nrutya Kaumudi (2003), Best Youth Classical Dancer Award (2003), Natya Siromani (2004), Best Dancer, Best Dancer (2008), Golden Award, Samskara Bharathi, Ugadi Puraskara, Cine Goers Award, Memento for Ugadi performance, Natya Mayuri Award (2008), Kala Saraswathi Award (2010), Indira Priyadarshini National Award (2010), Shankar Puraskar (2010).