Rema Shrikant

🪔 About

Rema Shrikant, born on October 29, 1956, is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and teacher, renowned for her profound contributions to Bharatanatyam and other classical dance forms. Her journey in dance commenced at the tender age of four, under the initial guidance of her parents, Guru Krishna Panicker and Smt. Gauri Panicker, at their Nritya Prabha institute in Mumbai. She further refined her skills under traditional gurus such as Kittappa Pillai. Shrikant pursued graduate and post-graduate studies in performing arts, specializing in Bharatanatyam, at the Faculty of Performing Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara. During her extensive training of over 17 years under the eminent scholar and choreographer, Padmabhushan Awardee Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar of Kalakshetra fame, she excelled academically, securing the first rank with distinction and earning a University Gold Medal. Her artistic versatility extends beyond Bharatanatyam, as she also received training in Mohiniyattam from Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Kuchipudi from Guru Acharyalu, and Kathakali. A prolific performer, Rema Shrikant has graced stages across India and internationally, including the USA, UK, Russia, Japan, and other Far Eastern countries. She is an empanelled member of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India, facilitating her participation in numerous cultural exchange programs. A notable international engagement was leading her group to perform Bharatanatyam in the 'Year of India festival' in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2009, where she presented her choreography "Srushti Tandavam." In 1976, Rema Shrikant established the 'Ellora Center for Performing Arts' (ECPA) in Vadodara, Gujarat, an institution dedicated to imparting training in Indian classical dances. With over four decades of teaching experience, she has nurtured a vast number of students and developed numerous choreographic dance dramas. Her significant contributions have been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the 'Gaurav Puraskar' from the Gujarat State Sangeet Natak Academy in 2000 and the 'Kala Shri' Award from the Kerala Sangeet Natak Akademies in 2012. Her daughter, Nritya Gopikrishnan, also plays a key role in leading the Ellora Center. Awards & Honours: Gujarat Sangeet Natak Academy Award (Gaurav Puraskar) (2000), University Gold Medal (Anjali Merh Gold Medal), Kala Shri Award (2012).