Priya Venkataraman

🪔 About

Priya Venkataraman is a world-renowned exponent of Bharatanatyam, celebrated for her adherence to the classical traditional repertoire. She began her dance journey at the age of seven and possesses over two decades of performing experience. Her early training was under Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan, and she continued her studies with Guru A. Lakshman and Mrs. Bragha Bessell. Venkataraman holds a Diploma in dance from Ganesa Natyalaya, New Delhi, obtained in 1989, and also trained with Mrs. Malathi Gupta from 1977-1981, and master teachers Shobana Swami and G. Narendra from 1995-1999. She spent twelve years of her initial career in the United States, where she extensively performed and taught Bharatanatyam through her dance school, Kalakriti, in Rockford, Illinois. During her time in the US, she conducted the solo stage debut for eleven students and twelve of her students completed their "Arangetram" under her guidance. Venkataraman has performed at prestigious venues globally, including for US President Barack Obama's official visit to India in 2010 and for the Royal couple in Bhutan in 2011. Her international performances include the Black Arts Festival in Senegal, the International Festival of Bangkok, and the Jeonjhu Sori International Festival in South Korea. She has also toured extensively across North America, West Indies, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Europe, and Africa. Beyond traditional performances, Priya Venkataraman has engaged in experimental work, notably collaborating with US-based modern dancer Sandra Schramel and musician Byron Wise on the critically acclaimed production 'Eyes Beneath the Night'. Her theatrical experience also includes acting in a nationally televised serial and choreographing for a play staged at the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. She is an empanelled artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Currently, she lives and teaches in New Delhi, India. Awards & Honours: Illinois Arts Council Fellowship (1995), Illinois Arts Council Fellowship (2002), Lakshmi Viswanathan award for abhinaya, Rohini Krishnan Endowment award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (2009), Master-Apprentice awards for training children in Bharatanatyam (Illinois Arts Council, USA).