Padma Sharma

🪔 About

Guru Dr. Padma Sharma is a highly esteemed figure in Indian classical dance, renowned for her profound contributions to Kathak. With over six decades of dedication to the art form, she is a practitioner of the Lucknow Gharana. Her extensive training began under Guru Mohan Rao Kallianpurkar for more than two decades, leading to her earning the Nritya Nipun degree in Kathak from Bhatkhande Sangit Mahavidyalaya, Lucknow, in 1959. Subsequently, she became a "Gandabandh shagird" (ceremonially recognised pupil) of the legendary Kathak exponent Pt. Lacchu Maharaj of the Lucknow Gharana, under whom she trained for 18 years. Throughout her illustrious career, Padma Sharma has not only excelled as a performer but also as a dedicated teacher and institution head. She is the founder of ANKH Dance, an organization committed to promoting Kathak. Additionally, she currently serves as the Director of Bhatkhande Sangit Vidyapith in Lucknow, a prestigious institution for music and dance. Her commitment to the arts extends to her long-standing association with the NCPA Mumbai, where she has been involved since its inception and performed at the inauguration of the Little Theatre. Padma Sharma's contributions have been widely recognized with numerous accolades. She is a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Award, conferred in 2022, acknowledging her lifetime dedication to the performing arts. Other significant awards include the Kratarth Kalajevan Puraskar from Shri Ganesh Cultural Academy, Sringar Mani, Sarangdev Fellowship, Shivali Nritya Shiromani, Nrityavid, and Sangeet Prakarsh. Her teaching legacy is carried forward by her disciples, including her granddaughter Tarini Tripathi. Awards & Honours: Nritya Nipun (1959), Kratarth Kalajevan Puraskar, Sringar Mani, Sarangdev Fellowship, Shivali Nritya Shiromani, Nrityavid, Sangeet Prakarsh, Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Award (2022).