PERSONAL INFORMATION
Profession(s): • Classical Dancer • Teacher/Guru • Singer • Choreographer • Author • Scholar
Known for: • Leading exponent of Bharatanatyam • Founder of Bharata Nrithyam
Date of Birth: 4 February 1943 (Thursday)
Age (as of 2023): 80 Years
Birthplace: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (then-Madras Presidency, British India)
Zodiac sign: Aquarius
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Religion: Hinduism
Caste: Brahmin [1] Cinemaazi
Age: 80 Years
EDUCATION
School: Nrithyodaya Dance School, Chennai
College/University: • Ethiraj College For Women, Chennai • Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu
Educational Qualification: • Bachelor’s degree in Music • Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology • Doctorate
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters – 173 cm in meters – 1.73 m in feet & inches – 5’ 8”
Weight (approx.): in kilograms – 65 kg in pounds – 143 lbs
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Unmarried
Husband/Spouse: N/A
Parents: Father – Krishnaswami Subrahmanyam (Director, Freedom fighter, and Founder of Nrithyodaya Dance School) Mother – Meenakshi Subrahmanyam (Composer, Sanskrit lyricist, and instrumentalist of Veena, Violin, and Harmonium)
Siblings: Brother – two • V. Balakrishnan • S. Krishnaswamy Sister – none
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Awards, Honours, Achievements: • Bharatiyar Award by Vaanavil Panpaattu Maiyam on 12 December 2010 • Lifetime Achievement Award by Nungambakkam Cultural Academy on 5 December 2010 • Felicitation at the International Film Festival India (IFFI) at Goa on 27 November 2010 • Honorary Fellowship by The Asiatic Society of Mumbai on 26 November 2010 • Arsha Kala Bhushanam by Pujyasri Swami Dayananda Saraswati on 7 November 2010 • Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) by SASTRA University, Thanjavur • Padma Sadhana by Padma Sarangapani Cultural Academy, Chennai • Nritya Kovidha by Naadabrahmam, Chennai • Zee Astitva Life Time Achievement Award by Zee TV & Archana Trust, Mumbai (Maharashtra) • Melvin Jones Award by Lions Club of Madras Melvin Jones • National Eminence Award by Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai (Maharashtra) • Natya Vidya Nidhi by Andhra Music Academy, Secunderabad (Andhra Pradesh) • Honorary Doctorate by Open University for Alternative Medicine, Kolkata (West Bengal) • Ojaswini Award by Ojaswini Magazine, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) • Satabdhi Nartaki at a felicitation function in Mumbai (Maharashtra) • Chowdiah Award by Academy of Fine Arts, Bangalore (Karnataka) • Nritya Kalasagara by Kalasagaram, Secunderabad (Andhra Pradesh) • Pragna Puraskar by Pragna Bharati, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) • Gupta Award by Gupta Foundation, Eluru (Andhra Pradesh) • LVR Award by LVR Foundation, Chennai • Ugadi Puraskar by Madras Telugu Academy • Kamban Adippodi Memorial Award by Kamban Kazhagam, Chennai • Sivaji Ganesan Memorial Award by Ganesan’s family • Lifetime Achievement Award by Rotary Club of Chennai Galaxy • Significant Achievement Award by Rotary Club of Coimbatore Mid Town • Vocational Excellence Award by Rotary Club of Trichy • For the Sake of Honour Award by the Rotary Club of Madras • Soviet Land Nehru Award by Soviet Land Magazine in 1983 • Silver Jubilee Award of Excellence by Tamil Nadu Brahmin Association • Bharata Kala Sagara by Shree Bharatalaya, Chennai • Tirumurai Nandana Perarasi by Sekkizhar Mandram, Chennai • Bharatakkalaiarasi by Narada Gana Sabha, Karur • Silver Jubilee Award by Soorya, Trivandrum (for performing in their festival for 25 years) • Natya Kala Sarathy by Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, Chennai • Award of Excellence by Mudhra, Chennai • Viswa Kala Bharati by Bharat Kalachar, Chennai • Vani Kala Sudhakara at Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Chennai • Natya Padmam by Brahma Gana Sabha, Chennai • Nada Brahmam by Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai • Isai Perarignar by Tamil Isai Sangam, Chennai • Sangeeta Kala Nipuna by Mylapore Fine Arts Club, Chennai • Nritya Kala Siromani by Nungambakkam Cultural Academy, Chennai • Nritya Choodamani by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai • Rajiv Gandhi National Integration Award by Indian Bank & Idhayam Publications • Honorary Fellowship by The Academy of General Education, Manipal University • Kshetra Natyasri Award by Ksetropasana (Prof. Prema Pandurang) • Asthana Vidushi by Sri Krishna Temple, Udupi (first lady recipient in the 765-year-old history of the temple) • Asthana Vidushi by Sri Ananthapadmanabhaswami Temple, Chennai • Thalaikkol Arivai by Kunrakkudi Adeenam • Natya Kalanidhi by Dharmapuram Adeenam • Sri Mata Award by Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Sri Ramachandrapura Matha, Karnataka • Bharata Sastra Rakshamani by Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam • Kalidas Samman by Government of Madhya Pradesh • State Artistes Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu • Kalaimamani by the Government of Tamilnadu • Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by Natak Akademi, New Delhi • Padma Bhushan by the President of India in 2003 • Padma Shri by the President of India in 1981 • Fukuoka Asian Cultural Prize by Fukuoka, Japan (Dr Padma is the first dancer in the world to receive this prestigious award for ‘her contribution to development and harmony in Asia’) • Kambarasa Nartana Vilasa Vittagi by Colombo Kamban Kazhagam, Srilanka • K. M. Munshi Centenary & Bhavan’s Golden Jubilee Award by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London, UK • Award of Excellence by New York Tamil Sangam, USA • Natya Ratnakara by India Fine Arts, Austin, USA • Nritya Jyoti by Austin Tamil Sangam, USA • Nritya Ratnakara by Bhairavi Indian Fine Arts Society, Cleveland, USA • Lifetime Achievement Award by Kalanidhi Fine Arts, Toronto, Canada • Lifetime Achievement Award by Soorya, Singapore Chapter • Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award, on 26 January 2024
OTHER INFORMATION
Other Relatives: Sister-in-law- two • Shyamala Balakrishnan • Mohana Krishnaswamy Nephews- two • Raghuram • B. Kannan Nieces- two • Lata • Gita Grandnephews- two • Hrishikesh • Anirudh Ravichander Grandniece- one Gayathri Raghuram
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Padma Subrahmanyam stands as a luminary in the world of Indian classical dance, celebrated not only for her prowess as a dancer but also as a guru, singer, scholar, author, and choreographer. A revered figure in Bharatanatyam, a South Indian classical dance form, Padma has significantly contributed to the evolution of the art, notably by creating the Bharata Nrithyam style. Her artistic journey is marked by numerous accolades and widespread recognition, solidifying her status as a leading figure in the dance community. Her commitment to nurturing talent and advancing the dance form has paved the way for future generations of dancers and enthusiasts alike.
From her early years, Padma exhibited exceptional talent and dedication to dance. Under the expert guidance of noted instructors, she mastered the foundational steps known as Adavus from K. N. Dhandayudapani Pillai and refined her expressive abilities in Abhinaya with Gowri Ammal. Her musical education was equally profound, learning from the celebrated vocalist B.V. Lakshmanan and renowned music director Salil Chowdhury. This diverse training laid the groundwork for her unique artistic vision, which she expanded upon through her doctoral research focused on the intricate 108 Karanas in Indian Dance and Sculpture, primarily based on the Natya Sastra. Her dissertation, developed under the mentorship of Dr. T.N. Ramachandran—a celebrated archaeologist—marks a significant scholarly contribution to the understanding of dance and its historical context.
Padma’s artistic vision is characterized by a comprehensive technique that utilizes the entirety of the body, emphasizing graceful leaps, extended leg movements, and intricate footwork. This dynamic approach enhances the expressive potential of rhythmic patterns, demonstrating her innovative creativity. Her talents extend beyond dance as she has gracefully lent her voice to the performances of her disciples, often collaborating with Dr. Gayatri Kannan, thereby integrating her vocal skills into her artistic presentations. As a composer, Padma has crafted individual pieces and orchestrated entire productions, including notable performances for the Singapore Government that featured a multinational orchestra, reflecting her commitment to global artistic collaboration.
Throughout her career, Padma has not only contributed to the dance form but also revolutionized its pedagogy. Beginning her teaching journey at the age of fourteen at the Nrithyodaya Dance School in Chennai, she eventually rose to the position of Director. Her explorations based on Bharatamuni’s Natya Sastra have led her to develop a holistic pedagogical approach that encompasses practical, theoretical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of dance. This innovative framework has equipped her disciples with a well-rounded understanding of the art form, producing skilled dancers, teachers, and musicians, including Nattuvangam artists. Recognized for her extensive contributions, Padma was further honored with a divine mandate from the Centenarian Sage Pujyasri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal, which involved creating a collection of 108 Karana sculptures for the newly constructed Lord Nataraja temple in Satara, Maharashtra. Her work in this domain not only showcases her artistic skill but also reflects her commitment to preserving and promoting traditional Indian cultural heritage.
In addition to her artistic and scholarly pursuits, Padma Subrahmanyam has authored a plethora of research papers, books, and articles, solidifying her role as a thought leader in the realm of dance and culture. Her notable publications, including “Bharata’s Art: Then & Now” and “Karanas – Common Dance Codes of India & Indonesia,” highlight her dedication to documenting and sharing knowledge about Indian classical dance. Her impact has extended beyond scholarly circles; her life and contributions are captured in various biographical works, and her influence resonates internationally, as evident from documentaries produced in Russia and Australia, along with recognition from notable scholars globally. In 2023, Padma’s name gained national attention when she played a pivotal role in the reintroduction of the Sengol, a symbol of power in Tamil culture, further emphasizing her enduring legacy in Indian arts and culture.
—
Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.