Rajashree Warrier

🪔 About

Dr. Rajashree Warrier is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, musician, writer, and educator, primarily known for her contributions to Bharatanatyam. Born and raised in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, she began her training in Bharatanatyam under Guru V. Mythili and later with Guru Jayanthi Subramaniam. Her Carnatic music tutelage was under eminent maestros including Sri Mullamudu Harihara Iyer, Sri Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath, Padmashri Vidushi Parassala Ponnammal, and Guru B. Sasikumar. Warrier holds a Ph.D. in Music from the Department of Music, Kerala University, for her research on "Varnas in Dual Forms: Tana Varnas and Pada Varnas." She also possesses a postgraduate diploma in journalism. A 'TOP Grade' artist of Doordarshan in Bharatanatyam and an empanelled artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), she has performed extensively in India and internationally. She is recognized as a pioneer for her innovative choreographies, which incorporate Malayalam poems, folk music, and compositions of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru into the Bharatanatyam repertoire. Her choreographic series 'Nattumozhi' integrates regional and colloquial idioms into her performances. Dr. Warrier is the founder and director of UTTARIKA, Centre for Performing Arts, based in Thiruvananthapuram, which focuses on research and training in Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, and experimental theatre. She has also authored two books, 'Narthaki' (2013) and 'Nruthakala' (2011), both in Malayalam, and her English poems have appeared in literary magazines. Her career spans over three decades as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Awards & Honours: Kerala Prabha Award (2025), Kshetrakala Fellowship (2024), Rotary International Dance Icon Award (2023), Revathy Pattathanam Natya Puraskaram (2022), Dev Dasi National Award for Bharatanatyam (2014), Kalasree Title and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2013), VS Sharma Endowment Award (2013), Mahila Tilak Title and Award (2012), Sai Natya Ratna (2010), Natana Shiromani' Award (2009), Navarasam Sangeeta Sabha Award for Bharatanatyam (2007).