Padma Subrahmanyam will bestowed with the Natya Kala Acharya 2012.
Born on February 4, 1943, to Meenakshi and eminent film director K. Subrahmanyam, Padma is one of the best-known personalities in the classical dance scene today. Multi-faceted, she is a dancer, research scholar, choreographer, teacher, singer, composer, author and Indologist.
Dance, which is her first love, began with training under Vazhuvoor Ramiah Pillai. Padma later learnt from other gurus also. B.V. Lakshmanan and Salil Choudhury trained her in music. Armed with a Bachelor’s and subsequently a Master’s degree in Music, Padma later got her doctorate for ‘Karanas in Indian Dance and Sculpture’ for which she was guided by Dr T.N. Ramachandran of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Celebrated worldwide as a dancer and choreographer, Padma’s productions are known for their meticulous research, with the subjects being of universal appeal. It is therefore no wonder that she has won several awards and titles at the State and National levels and also at various prestigious locations all over the world.
She is a prolific writer on the subject of arts. Likewise, while she has produced tele and video films, films and documentaries have been made on her. Padma continues to serve on numerous arts related organisations. She is a much sought after dance guru and this year, sees her completing 60 years as a dancer.
Interestingly, this is the first time the Music Academy, has endowed a special award for dancers. And it is apt that the first recipient of the Natya Kala Acharya title should be Dr Padma Subrahmanyam. The Music Academy takes pride in conferring the title on her.
