Uma Anantani

🪔 About

Dr. Uma Anantani is a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, primarily Bharatanatyam, known for her contributions as a performer, teacher, choreographer, researcher, and academician. She founded the Rasadhwani Trust in Ahmedabad in 1990, an institution dedicated to promoting classical dance through teaching, seminars, and workshops. Rasadhwani is recognized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Gujarat State Sangeet Natak Akademi. Dr. Anantani has taught dance in various locations, including Gandhinagar, Mumbai, and Chicago, with some of her students achieving National Scholarships. Academically, Dr. Anantani holds Master's Degrees in Literature and Bharatanatyam. She earned her Ph.D. in Indian Aesthetics in 2004 from Nalanda Nrityakala Maha Vidyalaya, Mumbai University, under the guidance of the esteemed Padmabhushan Late Dr. Kanak Rele. In 2004, she became the Founder Principal of JG College of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad, the first institution of its kind affiliated with Gujarat University, where she continues as a visiting scholar. Her research endeavors include a Senior National Fellowship in 1998 for her work on 'Aṣṭanāyikā -s in the Bhakti Songs of Narasinha Mehta'. She has published several papers, participated in national seminars, and authored two books: 'Classical Art – A Tradition from Bharat to Hemchandra' (Gujarati) and 'Tridhara – A Confluence of Dance, Beauty and Spirit' (English). Dr. Anantani is also a recipient of the 'Gaurav Purasaka' from the Government of Gujarat and serves as an Expert Member on the Board of Studies for Dance Departments at MS University and NNMV, Mumbai University, while also guiding Ph.D. students at Gujarat University. Her choreographic works include research-oriented, multilingual productions like 'Panchali- from Fire to Fire' and 'Gandhi Gita', which have received financial assistance from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Currently, she is a Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) from September 2024 to September 2025, researching the relevance of ancient Indian treatises on Kavya and Natya to contemporary classical dance. Awards & Honours: Senior National Fellowship (1998), Gaurav Purasaka.