A Vision for the Envisioned: Dr. SuparnaVenkatesh
Bharathanatyam and Kathak Artist
A Teacher, Choreographer and Mentor of Visually Challenged Dancers
Standing differently in all means and angles; SuparnaVenkatesh chose the vision to visualize the Eastman colours of the world through the sense of music and dance, with expertise in the respective field, mesmerizing the audience and making the auditorium spell bound with her performances.
Dr.SuparnaVenkatesh is a Bharathanatyam and Kathak artiste, teacher, choreographer and mentor for visually challenged dancers. She started learning Bharathanatyam ever since she was four years old under the guidance of Mangaluru U.S.KrishnaRao. Shelater was trained by Guru Jayalakshmi Alva and Ramakrishna Alva who groomed her in the art of Bharatanatyamand sowed the seed of interest and enthusiasm making a decision for her to pursue as a dancer.
In the year 1988, she was exposed to various classical dance forms, when she attended the NatyaShastraShikshana camp, a 15-day workshop conducted by Dr.Padma Subramanian.In that event, she first met her Guru. Dr Maya Rao, and later enrolled herself in Natya Institute of Kathak and choreography.
Dr Suparna’s parents and grandparents, who stood as pillars in her life, supported her throughout her dancing journey.In the year 1981, she completed her Rangapravesha, after which she moved to Bangalore and was further trained in Bharatanatyam under Guru Narmada. She learnt Kathak under the Guru Dr.MayaRao and ChithraVenugopal.
Dr Suparnaholds a Bachelors degree in choreography from the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography, a Masters Degree in Arts and Philosophy from Bangalore University and a Doctorate for her research work on “Devadasis and their contribution to Indian classical dance forms “ .
Dr. Suparna honed her dance skills in Bharathnatyam, folk tradition and martial arts under the supervision and guidance of Dr. PadmaSubramaniam, GuruT.K.MahalingamPillai, Guru Sonar Chand and Guru ShashidharAcharya. She was inspired by the life journey, struggle, recognitions, knowledge and dedication of her gurus and parents which motivated her to practice and excel in dance forms like Bharathanatyam and Kathak, gaining much respect from the society.
In the years to come, she aspires to be more actively involved inteaching studentshelping them to attain their dreams and pursue dance as a full-time career, venturing in to the new productions and travelling across borders.
Under her tutelage at her dance school “Sai Arts International”, several dancers have made their debut and have carved a position for themselves. She has conducted several workshops in India and abroad.
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress;working together is success.
This excerpt stands apt for the Dr. Suparna and her husband Sri SaiVenkatesh, who has been conducting programs, “Sai Nrithyotsav”, a dance festival on the first day of every month providing platforms to dancers earnestly since the past 8 years. The institution proudly celebrated the 100th Sai Nrithyotsav on the 1st of September 2017, where many stalwarts of Indian Classical Dances performed in the festival. They have also been organizing festivals on the World Dance Day and the National Dance Festivals.
She has choreographed ballets and dance features in her home productions and has associated with several educational Institutions surrounding Bangalore and organized shows based on Indian classical dance traditions. She is also a guest faculty member in Bangalore university, and in the Examination Panel of Jain University, Alliance, GangubaiHanagalUniversity, Bangalore University,NatyaInstitute of Kathak and Choreography and Eartha College . She is also a member in the Text book committee of the Karnataka Secondary Education Board Kathak.
Above all these Dr Suparna was honoured by “Karnataka Kala Shree” by the Department of Culture, Government of Karnataka and Karnataka SangeetNritya Academy.
Her involvement in articulate ability, in training the visually challenged to perform Bharatanatyam, has taken her across continents. Above all these, she desires to be dance teacher dreaming to teach as many students as possible with her gifted craft, which makes her shine throughout the world as a Beacon of Light.
Gallery :
Bharatanatyam and kathak
Suparna Venkatesh And Swetha Venkatesh
Awards :
Guru’s :
Suparna Venkatesh and Guru Maya Rao Suparna Venkatesh and Nagaraj
Some Photos :