Utthara Unni

🪔 About

Utthara Unni is an accomplished Indian Bharatanatyam dancer hailing from Thiruvalla, Kerala. She began her training at a young age under her mother, Urmila Unni, and later honed her skills with several esteemed gurus including RLV Prashob Warrier, Kalamandalam Yamini, Dakshayini Ramachandran, Saikripa Prasanna from Kalakshetra, Kalamandalam Gopinath, and Sunil Nellai. She further pursued formal education, earning a B.F.A. in Bharatanatyam from Sastra University, where she received special guidance from Padma Bhushan Dr. Padma Subrahmaniyam. Additionally, she holds an M.A. in Bharatanatyam, a B.Sc. in Visual Communication, and an M.A. in Communication. Currently, she is also learning the intricacies of Nattuvangam from Kalakshetra Hari Padman. Throughout her career, Utthara Unni has performed extensively, gracing stages at prestigious Natyanjali festivals in Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Thirunallar, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur, and Thanjavur. Her performances also include the Soorya Dance Festival – Parampara, Mylapore Fine Arts – Chennai, Sangeetha Nataka Akademi – Thrissur, and Nishagandhi – Trivandrum. Internationally, she has presented solo concerts in countries such as Nepal, Thailand, UAE, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Utthara Unni is the director of Temple Steps, a Bharatanatyam dance academy with its primary branch in Kochi, Kerala. She also operates branches in Mumbai and Angopanga in Bahrain, demonstrating her commitment to teaching and propagating the art form. She is a recognized member of the UNESCO International Dance Council. Beyond dance, Utthara Unni is also known for her work as an actress in Tamil and Malayalam films, a filmmaker who has directed short films and documentaries, and a singer. Her contributions to classical dance have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Guru Gopikrishna National Award for Bharatanatyam in 2016, the Nrithyashiromani award from Theatre Olympiad, the Natyamayuri title from Guntur dance fest, and the Natyavilasini award from Bilai Nrithyanrithyathi fest. Awards & Honours: Guru Gopikrishna National Award for Bharatanatyam (2016), Drishya award for best direction, Kerala Film Critics Association Award for best upcoming actor (debut), Natyamayuri title, Natyavilasini award, Nrithyashiromani award, Sukumari Amma Memorial award, Padmavati Pratibha Puraskar, Tarang Padma, N. P Abu Memorial award, K. P Ummer award, Monisha Unni award, Shantha Devi Puraskaram, Metro short film award.