Padmini Shreedhar

🪔 About

Padmini Shreedhar is a distinguished Bharatanatyam performing artist, promoter, and exponent of the Mysore school of Bharatanatyam, with a career spanning over 32 years. Based in Bengaluru, India, she is recognized as a dance icon and an A-grade Doordarshan Artiste, also empanelled with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Her academic qualifications include a post-graduate diploma in Choreography, obtained under the tutelage of the internationally reputed choreographer Dr. Maya Rao. She further pursued higher education, earning a Master's degree in Performing Arts between 2010 and 2012, and a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in 2015, both from Jain University. Since 2003, Dr. Padmini Shreedhar has served as the artistic director of the Nritya Gaana Academy for Performing Arts, located in Rajarajeshwarinagar, Bengaluru. Under her guidance, the academy has trained numerous young aspirants in classical dance, music, guitar, and keyboard, with many of her Bharatanatyam disciples achieving distinction in state board dance examinations annually since 2008. The academy is a well-known institution in Bengaluru, frequently invited to present performances at prestigious festivals. Beyond her role as an educator, Padmini Shreedhar is an accomplished choreographer, having created a wide array of dances, including science-related dance features, and pieces based on contemporary, historical, and mythological themes. Her research-based performances have been showcased in cities such as Chennai, Baroda, and Varanasi. She has also contributed to arts education as a faculty member at the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography, an educational consultant for the Times of India's NIE programme, and an in-house choreographer at the National Public School, Rajajinagar. Additionally, she plays an active role in cultural promotion as the Treasurer of the Rajarajeshwarinagar Cultural Association, where she curates the annual Nritya Jahnavi classical dance festival. Her contributions to the arts have been recognized with several accolades, including the 'Singaramani' award from Sur Singar Samsad (1989), the Sai award (2012), the Bharatha Prashasthi (2016), Nritya Nidhi (2018), and the NATYA VIDHYA VAARIDHI award (2024). She was also a junior fellowship awardee by the Human Resources Department of Culture, New Delhi, from 2008 to 2010. Awards & Honours: Singaramani (1989), ISKCON appreciation award (2003), ISKCON appreciation award (2004), Junior fellowship awardee by Human Resources Department of Culture, New Delhi (2008), Sai award (2012), Bharatha Prashasthi (2016), Nritya Nidhi (2018), NATYA VIDHYA VAARIDHI (2024).