Vanishree Ravishankar, a Bharathanatyam artiste, a performer, a teacher, a choreographer, began her journey towards her passion 42 years back. She is the disciple of Guru Smt. Savithri Jagannatha Rao (of Pradakshina, and Kalakshetra), and Guru Smt. Bragha Bessell, under whom she trains in Nayika Bhavam. Vanishree is the Founder and Artistic Director of Natya Samarpanam and has since been actively training budding dancers, and producing a varied array of group productions. On an individual forefront, she is currently specializing in the interplay of characters and psychology in Abhinaya.

Hailing from a family of Yakshagana artists, musicians, and writers, she began her training under Guru late Sri M Janardhana of Kalaniketan, Mangalore. On successfully completing her Arangetram and the Govt. of Karnataka's Senior Grade Special Examination in 1985, Vanishree's  passion and thirst to learn more of the art form brought her to Chennai, and Pradakshina. Vanishree has undergone extensive training and has given innumerable solo recitals, has been a part of  group  performances and group productions since then. She continuously works to impart her learning to her students at Natya Samarpanam and wants to provide them the roots of a strong foundation to grow further.

Vanishree is the granddaughter of  late Sri Muliya Thimmappaiah, the renowned Kannada literary giant, which is where her interest in Kannada Sahithyam springs from. Several of her group productions have adapted Kannada Sahithyam such as Kaveri Darshana and Sankarshana. A production on her grandfather's literary masterpiece, 'Navaneetha Ramayana' is in the works.

Noted performances & Recognitions

Alankar festival (Season 2) by Kalajyoti in collaboration with Ministry of Culture, GoI & Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre – Solo - 2021

Abhinaya Utsav of Thanjavur DhrsyaKavya Koodam – Solo Abhinaya presentation - 2020

Dance video tribute for Tanjore Maharaja Serfoji II’s 243rd birth anniversary for tribute event conducted by Prince Sri Pratap Sinha Serfoji RajeBhosle – 2020

Online – Natya Sunada Rasamrutha Dhara, Nadamrutha, Bangalore – June 25, 2020

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Chennai Kendra) and South Zone Cultural Centre (Ministry of Culture, Government of India) – Duet Concert – 2020

Naadaneerajanam - Solo and students’ group performance - 2019

Dance workshops at Nrithyangan, Mangalore, and Vellore , and SASTRA University, Thanjavur

Paper presentation “Journey through Abhinaya” at the seminar, “SPANDAN- A Confluence of Great Minds” organized and hosted by Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh - 2018

Group production, ‘Chandalika’, with Dr. Vyjayanthimala Bali - 1995 - Delhi (Kamani Auditorium), Chennai (NGS)

NOTED AWARDS

Sangeetha Kala Jyothi by Suswara Trust, Chennai

Kalpashree Lifetime Achievement Award by Kalpashree, Bangalore

Natya Rani by Srivaari Academy, Tirupathi

Kalpashree Natya Sharada by Kalpashree Academy, Mysore

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Roja Kannan is a senior disciple of Padmashree awardee Guru Adyar K. Lakshman & Padmabhushan awardee Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan is a Performer, Teacher, Choreographer and Arts Administrator.

Her career spans five decades in the course of which she has had the good fortune of some of the best learning experiences with her Gurus with whom she has worked very closely.

She has innumerable performances and lecture demonstrations all over the world to her credit and performances in major dance festivals both in India & Abroad.

She established her Academy of Natyam & and Music “Bharatha Natyalaya” in the year 1987, which is stepping successfully into its 30th year in 2017. Hundreds of disciples have learnt the Art from her and made a mark for themselves in the field of Natyam.

Roja Kannan has been decorated with several Awards and Recognitions for her proficiency and contributions in Natyam. “Acharya Choodamani”, “Kala Acharya Sironmani”, Natya Ilavarasi, Kala Seva Bharathi, Woman of Excellence Award, Kartik Award of Excellence and Best Senior Dancer Awards from the Music Academy & Narada Gana Sabha .Roja Kannan served as the General Secretary of ABHAI for 8 years and is currently its President. She is also the Academic In-Charge of the Kalpakkam Dance School, Kalpakkam and the Akhil Diksha foundation for Arts in Ranipet.