Shanta Ratii

🪔 About

Shantha Ratii is a highly acclaimed Indian classical dancer, teacher, choreographer, cultural activist, and filmmaker, recognized for her mastery in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Kathakali. Born and raised in Singapore, she is based in both Singapore and Mumbai, India. Her illustrious career spans over four to five decades, during which she has been lauded by critics as "sculpture come alive," "visual poetry," and "a rare combination of quicksilver movements and beguiling abhinaya". Shantha Ratii began her dance training at the tender age of five, starting with Bharatanatyam under Guru Kalanidhi Narayanan and Padmashree Adyar Lakshman. She later trained in Kathakali under Oyur Govinda Pillai and K P Bhaskar, and in Kuchipudi under Padmabhushan Raja Radha Reddy and Padmabhushan Vempati Chinna Satyam. She also received early training in ballet and Kalaripayettu. A trailblazer, Shantha Ratii was among the first members of the Singapore National Dance Company, representing the country in Australia and Russia. She is noted for breaking boundaries in Kathakali by essaying male roles, a tradition historically dominated by men. Her performances have graced prestigious festivals and venues across the globe, including the USA, UK, Switzerland, India, Iraq, Japan, Australia, Russia, and Malaysia. Beyond performing, Ratii is a prolific choreographer and innovator. She founded Shantha Ratii Initiatives (SRI) in 2016, a Singapore-based dance-theatre company dedicated to promoting Indian classical arts and fostering cross-cultural and interdisciplinary works. SRI integrates Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and Kathakali with Chinese, Malay, and Western contemporary dances to address social issues like environmental degradation and the impact of crises. She also established the Anatara Foundation (also known as Antara Foundation) to promote Indian performing and visual arts and nurture underprivileged talent. Her innovative productions include "Writings on the Wall" (1999), which blended Indian dance with Chinese calligraphy, and "Designs in Dance" (2002), which explored parallels between architecture, sculpture, painting, and dance. She revived the "Vachika" (dialogue) aspect of Kuchipudi in "Bama Kalapam" in 2002. Shantha Ratii has also scripted and directed several TV documentaries, including the 35mm film "And Miles to Flow" on Asian dance theaters. She is a sought-after speaker and scholar, presenting papers on the development of Bharatanatyam in Singapore and Malaysia. Awards & Honours: Kalashiromani (2002), Gold Medallion (1990).