Padma Chebrolu

🪔 About

Padma Chebrolu is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, teacher, choreographer, and the artistic director of the Cultural Centre of India in Cincinnati, Ohio. Born in Guntur, India, her passion for dance began at the age of three, leading her to study various traditional Southern Indian dance styles across different schools as her family moved frequently. She pursued higher education at the Sri Thyagaraja Government College of Music & Dance in India, and later obtained graduate degrees in education and business administration after moving to the United States in the early 1990s. In the 1990s, Chebrolu founded the Cultural Centre of India, a vibrant institution dedicated to preserving and promoting Indian heritage arts through classes, performances, and workshops. She has served as its artistic director for over 25 years, impacting thousands in the Ohio communities. A master artist in Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Andhra Natyam, Mohini Attam, Kathak Fusion, and Bollywood, she is also an adjunct professor at Xavier University and a filmmaker. Her film projects, including "Passage of the River," which advocates for environmental causes, have garnered over 50 awards across 18 countries. Chebrolu is recognized for her commitment to arts education, community engagement, and fostering cross-cultural understanding, incorporating extensive knowledge of music and costuming traditions into her teaching. Awards & Honours: Ohio Heritage Fellowship Award for Performing Arts (2021), Master Artist award for Traditional Arts Apprenticeship (2022), Master Artist award for Traditional Arts Apprenticeship (2023), Ohio Governor's Award for Arts Education (2025), Proclamation of Recognition (2019), Recognition for Artistic Contributions (2022), Art Educator (2022), Padma Chebrolu Dance Award (2024), Film Awards.