Vanishree ravishankar

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.

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Journey

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