Shanta Rati Misra

🪔 About

Shanta Rati Misra is a distinguished exponent of Indian classical dance, proficient in Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and Kathakali, with early training also in ballet. Born and raised in Singapore, she is currently based in Mumbai, India. Her extensive training began at the age of five in Bharatanatyam under Kalanidhi Narayan, followed by Kathakali from Oyur Govinda Pillai when she was eight. She was inspired to learn Kuchipudi by Raja and Radha Reddy and further honed her skills under eminent gurus including Adyar Lakshman and the legendary Vempati Chinna Satyam. Misra's career as a cultural ambassador began early; at 15, she was selected by the Singapore government to represent the country. Her first public performance was at six years old in Singapore in the late 1970s. She has performed extensively across the globe in countries such as Australia, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, Iraq, and the USA, and has presented interactive lecture-demonstrations in Azerbaijan and Russia. In India, her notable performances include the Khajuraho Dance Festival, Elephanta Dance Festival, Sangeet Nitya Samaroh (ICCR), and the Sangeet Natak Akademi's Nrityotsav in Delhi and Bangalore. Beyond performing, Misra has made significant contributions to the arts through choreography and filmmaking. She conceptualized, choreographed, scripted, and directed "Writings on the Wall," a dance and theatre production blending Chinese and Indian calligraphy with modern dance, which premiered in Singapore in 1999. She also researched, scripted, produced, and directed the 35mm film "And Miles to flow," selected for the International Documentary Festival in 1998. Misra founded Antara, an art foundation dedicated to promoting Kuchipudi and nurturing talent, particularly among the underprivileged, encompassing Indian classical dance, drawings, music, and traditional crafts. She is recognized for her efforts to contemporize performing arts for modern audiences and for reviving the "Vachika" (dialogue) aspect of Kuchipudi in productions like "Bama Kalapam." Awards & Honours: Gold Medallion (1990), Felicitation for Experimental Work in Arts and Trans Asian Chambers and Industry (2000), Kala Shiromani (2002).