Padmavani Mosalikanti

🪔 About

Padmavani Mosalikanti is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, teacher, nattuvanar, choreographer, and institution head, primarily renowned for her expertise in Kuchipudi. Her journey in dance began at a young age with initial training in Bharatanatyam. However, Kuchipudi became her profound passion after she joined Kuchipudi Kala Kendra Mumbai in 1995. There, she received rigorous training under Sri M.S.R. Murty, a senior disciple of the legendary Padmabhushan Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam. She quickly mastered the fundamental nuances of the art form, becoming an integral part of Kala Kendra's troupe, performing in both group and solo capacities, and playing significant roles in dance-dramas. A pivotal moment in her career came after her marriage in 2002, when she moved to Chennai. She continued to refine her Kuchipudi skills, delving into advanced and finer nuances under the tutelage of her husband, Sri Jaikishore Mosalikanti, who is also a direct disciple of Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam. Further solidifying her academic understanding of the art, Padmavani completed a postgraduate course in Kuchipudi dance from 'Sri Siddhendra Yogi Kuchipudi Kala Peetham', affiliated to 'Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad'. Padmavani Mosalikanti is celebrated for her captivating performances, notably her acclaimed portrayal of 'Satyabhama' in the traditional Kuchipudi dance ballet 'Sri Krishna Parijatam' (Bamakalapam), which has garnered praise from critics and connoisseurs alike. As an internationally acclaimed Kuchipudi dance duo, she and Jaikishore Mosalikanti have performed extensively across India at prestigious festivals such as Ananya festival, Konark Dance Festival, Khajuraho Dance Festival, and Natyanjali festival, and internationally in countries including the USA, Russia, Holland, France, and Belgium. Beyond performing, Padmavani is also an accomplished nattuvanar, wielding cymbals for senior Kuchipudi dancers during tours. In 2002, Padmavani co-founded Shivamohanam in Chennai with her husband, an institution dedicated to Kuchipudi dance, which was legally established in 2014. As a guru, she is known for her compassionate teaching approach, imparting not only the technical aspects of Kuchipudi but also its philosophy, spirituality, and art. Her teaching methodology at Shivamohanam emphasizes discipline, quality, and a multidisciplinary approach, including music, literature, and yoga, to cultivate well-rounded artists. Her contributions to the art form were recognized with a National Scholarship from the Department of Culture, Government of India, for the years 1998-2000. Awards & Honours: National Scholarship.