Padmini Rao

🪔 About

Padmini Rao is a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, known for her dedication as a teacher and soulful performances in Bharatanatyam. She holds an MSc in Physics, an MA in Bharatanatyam with first rank and three gold medals, and an honorary doctorate from Indian Empire University, Tamilnadu. Her extensive training in Bharatanatyam includes tutelage under esteemed gurus such as Shri K Ramamurthy Rao, Dr. Vasundhara Doreswamy, B Bhanumathi, and Smt Sheela Chandrashekhar. She also received specialized training in Karanas and Natyashasthra from Dr. Shobha Shashi Kumar, Thaala and Natuvangam from Vidwan Sri Narayanaswamy, and Konnakkol from Vidwan Somashekhar Jois. Padmini Rao founded the "Achchi Classical Dance Centre" (ACDC) in AGS Layout, Bangalore, in 2000, where she imparts comprehensive training in Bharatanatyam. Under her guidance, many students have performed their arangetram, and hundreds have successfully passed examinations conducted by the Karnataka Board of Secondary Education and Gandharva Mahavidyalaya with distinction or first class. Her disciples' group performances have garnered numerous awards at district, state, national, and global levels. Padmini Rao is also an accomplished choreographer, with notable productions including "Bharatha Bhagya Vidhaatha," "Sugandhada seemeyaache," the title track for the movie "Ishtakamya," Kuvempu Kavana Natya Namana, Girija Kalyana, Vachana Navarasa, Karnataka Vaibhava, Sthri Ranga Vaibhava, Hari Hara, Shambho, and Krishnaarpanam. Her students have performed at prestigious festivals like Dasara Utsava, Udupi Utsava, Hampi Utsava, and Kaveri Utsava, and have also toured the USA. Awards & Honours: Honorary Doctorate, Nritya Lanchana, Vishwa Kannada Kanmani, Suvarnashri, Nritya Kalaa Bhaargava state awards, Nritya Seva Ratna, Best teacher award in the field of dance.