Anita Raajyalaxmi Ratnam
Bharatanatyam Performer
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About
Anita Raajyalaxmi Ratnam, born on May 21, 1954, in Chennai, India, is a distinguished Indian classical and contemporary dancer, choreographer, and cultural entrepreneur. Her extensive training includes Bharatanatyam under Adyar K. Lakshmanan and a postgraduate diploma from Kalakshetra, founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale. She also received formal training in…
Journey Timeline
1954
Born in Chennai
1964
Arangetram (stage debut)
1974-1976
Postgraduate Diploma in Indian Classical Dance — From Kalakshetra
1977-1979
M.A. in Theatre and Television — From University of New Orleans, U.S.A.
1980-1990
Worked as a TV producer/commentator in the United States
1986
Received Mahatma Gandhi Award for Cultural Harmony — By US Government
1991
Received Media Achievement Award — By National Organization of Women in New York
1992
Established Arangham Trust — In Chennai
1993
Established Arangham Dance Theatre
1996
Received Nritya Choodamani Award — By Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai
1998
Received Kalaimamani Award — By Government of Tamil Nadu
1998
Co-founded 'The Other Festival' — India's annual contemporary arts festival (ran until 2006)
2000
Launched Narthaki.com — Online portal for Indian dance
2003
Received Lalithakalaratna and Natya Ratna awards — By Sri Lalithakala Academy Foundation Trust of Mysore and Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeet Sabha of New Delhi respectively
2008
Completed Ph.D. — In Women's Studies from Mother Teresa University / Ancient Tamil Theatre Studies from University of Madras
2013
Received Vishwa Kala Bharathi
2016
Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Contemporary Dance
2016
Received Vishwa Kala Ratna — From Milap-Fest, UK, for pioneering arts entrepreneurship
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Awards & Honors
- 1986 · Mahatma Gandhi Award for Cultural Harmony — US Government
- 1991 · Media Achievement Award — National Organization of Women in New York
- 1996 · Nritya Choodamani Award — Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai
- 1998 · Kalaimamani — Government of Tamil Nadu
- 2003 · Lalithakalaratna — Sri Lalithakala Academy Foundation Trust of Mysore
- 2003 · Natya Ratna — Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeet Sabha of New Delhi
- 2013 · Vishwa Kala Bharathi
- 2016 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Contemporary Dance — Sangeet Natak Akademi
- 2016 · Vishwa Kala Ratna — Milap-Fest, UK
- Emmy Award Nomination
- Ace Award Nomination
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