Vyjayanthi Kashi

🪔 About

Vyjayanthi Kashi is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, a renowned exponent of Kuchipudi, celebrated for her profound understanding of the art form and her dynamic contributions as a performer, choreographer, teacher, researcher, and administrator. Born on January 1, 1960, in Bangalore, Karnataka, she hails from the lineage of Padma Shri Dr. Gubbi Veeranna, a pioneer in Kannada Theatre. Vyjayanthi Kashi began her dance journey at the age of six, initially training in Bharatanatyam under Guru Tumkur Ramanna for seven years, where she topped state dance exams. After a hiatus, she embarked on her "second innings" in dance, dedicating herself to Kuchipudi and Temple Ritual Dances following her marriage to cine artist Vijaya Kashi. She received extensive training from legendary gurus including C.R. Acharya, Vedantham Prahalada Sarma, Padmashree Vedantham Satyanarayana Sharma, and Korada Narasimha Rao. Kashi is recognized for her innovative approach, bridging traditional Kuchipudi with contemporary aesthetics. She is one of the few dancers in India to perform and propagate Chitranatya, the art of painting images through rhythmic footwork in the Aalaya Sampradaya. In 1993, she founded the Shambhavi School of Dance in Bangalore, which operates on the ancient Gurukul system and has expanded to multiple centers, offering free dance education to underprivileged students. Her career spans over 28 countries, featuring performances, lecture-demonstrations, and workshops. She has choreographed over 30 dance productions, incorporating mythological, historical, and social themes, and has produced a DVD titled "Magic of Kuchipudi." Beyond performance and teaching, Vyjayanthi Kashi is a dance therapist, utilizing dance and yoga to aid physically and mentally challenged children. She is also the brainchild behind Dancejathre, India's first international dance fair in Bangalore, launched in 2008. Her administrative roles include serving as a current Member of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, and as a former Chairperson of the Karnataka Sangeeta Nritya Academy. Awards & Honours: Presidential Award Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar (2009), Nruthya Chudamani Award (2019), Suvarna Bhartratna Award (2018), Guru Pankaj Charan Das Award (2019), State Rajyothsava Award (2010), Zee Astitva Award (2006), Arya Bhatta Award, Alva's Nudi Siri Award, Kalashree Award (2001), Vocational Excellence Award, Debadhara Award (2017), Gaurav Puraskar (2017).