Dharani Ramakrishna
Mrs. Dharani Ramakrishna was born in Kumbakonam the place of worship & arts. She started learning Bharathanatyam from Thiruvidaimaruthur Smt. T.A Rajalakshmi and Kumbakonam Sri Murugesh at the very young age of 4 years. She had completed her Arangetram during 1988 at Kumbakonam. In 1980, at Kumbakonam she has performed Bharathanatyam at Vani Vilas Sabha on the occasion of Artistes Day. During 1988, on the occasion “Vijayadasami” Festival, she has been chosen the best artist at “Jana Ranjani Saba” before her Arangetram. By virtue of her hard work and interest in the Bharathanatyam, she has completed “Natya Kalai Mani” & “Nattuvanga Kalaimani” courses and she had her complete training in Bharathanatyam from the year 1988 to 1992 at Tamil Nadu Government Music College, Chennai.
She continues to participate in all important functions conducted by Tamil Nadu Government; the Governor of Tamil Nadu Shri P C Alexander appreciated her performance at “Kalaivanar Arangam”. In Kumbakonam, She has been conferred with the Title “Natya Kalai Oli” by Devi Prasad Sangeetha Vidyalaya during 1996. She has gained profound knowledge in Bharathanatyam by joining as a Teacher in “Chidambaram Academy” of Padmashri Smt Chitra Visweswaran for 5 Years. She has been selected as the best artist in Bharathanatyam during 1996. In All India Youth Festival, she has performed “Natya Nigazchigal” at Delhi.
She has been running a School of Dance for 31 Years in the name of “Saraswathi Natyalaya” West Mambalam, Chennai with her devotion & sincere efforts to Bharathanatyam. She has also participated in the celebration of 1000th year milestone program organized by Dr. Padma Subramaniam at Thanjavur Brahadeeshwara Temple (1000 Artists are at the time) with her disciples.
By virtue of her hard work in Bharathanatyam, she has been awarded “Natya Kala Choodamani” by Gana Mukundhapriya during July 2011 at Dakshinamoorthy Auditorium Chennai.
Also she has been awarded “Natya Chodaroli” by Apoorvaragam Music & Dance Magazine on 1st January 2012 at Tiruvavaduthuri T.N. Rajarathanam Kalaiarangam, during their 10th Anniversary Festival.
At Kalainger TV, students of Saraswathi Natyalaya performed title of “KALAI KOVIL”, in the year 2012. .
Smt. Dharani Ramakrishna has participated in the program organized by Karur koothambalam fine arts academy at Karur on 6.01.2013, which is the Guinness World record for the 2000 dance artists at the time. She has also awarded “Bharatha Munivar” by padma vibushan Thiru. V.P. Dhananjayan and Kalaimamani Smt. Indhira Rajan in this holy tribute dance festival.
Also she has been awarded Bharathanatya Kala Rathna by South India social cultural Academy, given on 08.06.2013 at Hotal Palm Grove, Chennai.
At Shree Kasi Viswanathar Temple, West Mambalam (T.N. Govt. Undertaken) she had conducted Navaratri Natyanjali Festival for 6 years.
VDS Arts Academy Given a comment on their Website “Excellent Performance” to her students.
Smt. Dharani received “Natya kala rathna” award from Shree Kanchi Jagadguru Shri Shankara vijayandra Saraswathi swamigal, at Kanchipuram on.08.09.2013 during their 79th Jayanthi Festival.
She has also received the award “Kalai Valar Mani” from Tamil Nadu Govt. (Arts and Cultural Department) dated on 08.04.2015 from the Chief Guest hon. Education Minister & Chennai District Collector.
She has also presented ‘Vallikalyanam’ in Nrithya Samarpanam, a 2-day dance programme conducted by Nrithyarpana in aid of BHARATA ILANGO FOUNDATION FOR ASIAN CULTURE (BIFAC) in the esteemed presence of Padma Bhushan Dr. PADMA SUBRAHMANYAM.
In the “Muperum Vizha” of Kavithaivaanil magazine at Pondicherry, “Samuga ilakiye award” was given to her on 26th November, 2016 in its 13th year anniversary.
Live Interview was given at Captain News Channel on 20.06.2016 about Bharathanatyam. Few years back in a movie named ‘Kathi Sandai’, our academy students danced for a song with Mr. Vishal, Actor (Secretary of Cinema association) and Ms. Tamanna, Actress.
She was honoured with the award “Bharat Gaurav Purskar- Kala Shiromani” on 26th August, 2018 at Vijayawada by Score More Foundation in the “Pride of India Awards-2018” ceremony recognized for her amazing and outstanding endeavors in the field of Classical Dance.
The students of Saraswathi Natyalaya has performed in the DOORDARSHAN CHANNEL under the program named as “Salangai Oli” telecasted on 21st December, 2018 and has also performed in SHRI SANKARA CHANNEL under the title “Natyanjali“ telecasted on 23rd January, 2019 & 18th February, 2019.
The students of Saraswathi Natyalaya has also performed in the nonstop 30 hours Guinness World Record program conducted by Peace and People Welfare trust and Raaba Media on 23rd February, 2019 held at Velankanni Public School, Kodungaiyur and Smt. Dharani has been honored with the award “Natiya Kala Ratna” for her excellence in dance.
Smt. Dharani has been honored with the title “CHIDAMBARESA NATYA KALAIMANI” by Thillai Naatiya Anjali Trust, Chidambaram during the Guinness World Record of “The Largest Bharathanatyam Performance” by 10,000 artistes on “Natesar Kauthuvam” at Sri Sabanayagar Temple on 3rd March, 2019.
She has been awarded with honorary degree “DOCTOR OF SETTERS” (DR.) by Divine Hands International University on 12th October, 2019
She has been awarded the “LIFE TIME ACHIEVER” in SPT International Peace Awards 2019 that was felicitated along with the “KALAM BOOK OF RECORDS 2019” Certificate.
On 15th February 2020 - she conducted Bharathanatyam mega event at Sri Mahalinga swamy Temple, at Thiruvadaimarudur, Kumbakonam, 2400 Bharathanatyam Artists participated in this mega event “GURU SAMARPANAM – 2020”, associated with Sri Vidya Prachar Shaba Trust, Chennai. Chief Guest Smt Roja Kannan President, ABHAI, & Smt Shobhana Ramesh.
She has also received the awards “Best Bharathanatyam Guru” from Jaimaa Charitable Trust held on 12th January, 2021 and “Women excellence award” as a part of Indian World Records, 2021 held on 30th January, 2021.
Significantly, Dr. Dharani and her students had exhibited a tremendous dance performance on 8th January 2021 in the “INDIAN DANCE FESTIVAL-2021” at MAMALLAPURAM that is conducted every year jointly by Ministry of Tourism (Government of India) & Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) and received acclaims as one of the wonderful and classy performances of all time.
Also, the dance school has been honoured the “BEST INSTITUTION OF THE YEAR” by “NOBEL GOLDEN CROWN AWARD-2022” on 6TH March, 2022.
She has been felicitated with the award “Nadana Kalaimani” in DVMP Awards-2022 (Desiya Varthagargal Munnetra Peravai) by Honourable Member of Parliament Thol.Thirumavalavan.
Dr Dharani and her students had performed a Welcome dance program on her own choreography as a part of welcoming our honourable PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA Shri NARENDRA MODI during his visits to Chennai on 26th May, 2022, 28th August, 2022, 8th April, 2023 & 19th January, 2024. A total of 500 students from various dance schools had participated in this welcoming show that was completely organized & managed by Dr Dharani that has been telecasted live in all news channels.
Her students had delivered a delightful performance on 29th May, 2022 in “SUMMER FESTIVAL-2022 – OOTY FLOWER SHOW” at GOVERNMENT BOTANICAL GARDEN, OOTY that is conducted every year jointly by Ministry of Tourism (Government of India) & Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC).
Also, her students performed at a memorial event held at West Mambalam on 4th June, 2022 and they were felicitated by honourable Health Minister of Tamil Nadu Ma Subramanian.
Several other acclaims include - Natya Mamani presented by S K Natya Kala Niketan academy’s 25th year anniversary on 26th June, 2022; Nadana Mamani given by ‘Tamil Maanila Congress-Women’s Wing’ on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons-2022 on 30th September, 2022.
Dr Dharani and her students had produced a dance fusion on MINISTRY OF TOURISM TABLEAU in REPUBLIC DAY PARADE SHOW of GOVERNMENT OF TAMILNADU on 26th January, 2023 held @ Marina.
She has been awarded “Pride of Dance Teacher” in Pride Awards-2022 in NOVA World Records. She has also received Nrithya Kalaivani Award in Tamizhan Excellence Awards-2023 felicitated by Dr. Radhakrishnan IAS, Principal Health Secretary.
Dr Dharani was felicitated with the award of “Natya Peruneri” by Dharumai Adhinam in Sirkazhi Natya Thiruvizha-5000 during the Maha-Kumbabhishegam of Sri Sattainatha Swamy Temple for her invaluable contribution to the field of Bharathanatyam.
She has been awarded the “Best Choreography Award” in Nrityaarambh - All India 9th Cultural National Dance Contest and Festival conducted by ANASS India held at Ahmedabad, Gujarat in regards to the 1st place award won by her student.
Her students has been participating in several cultural, national and international competitions and winning top prizes for solo as well as group events under different categories.
Notably, her students had showcased a classical performance on the occasion of PONGAL FESTIVAL-2024 at DRBCCC Hindu College organized by State Government of Tamil Nadu & Ministry of Tourism.
Also, she was felicitated by Mr Meghanatha Reddy IAS (Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of India) with the Mascot “Velu Nachiyar” Award at KHELO INDIA YOUTH GAMES-2023 for composing dance, organizing & coordinating the entire dance show in the inauguration ceremony held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai presided by honourable PM Shri Narendra Modi and honourable CM Thiru M K Stalin.
Recently, on Women’s Day-2024 (8th march, 2024) she has been honored with the “GOLDEN WOMEN AWARD” for the year 2024 by POTHYS Swarna Mahal & Group of Companies for her invaluable contributions to the field of dance. Also, she has been awarded with “NRITYA KALA MANDIR” BY Jodhir Madar Sangam (branch of WIA) on the occasion of their 47th anniversary held on 27th July, 2024.
Having Bharathanatyam School in the name of SARASWATHI NATYALAYA at West Mambalam, Chennai – 600033 (also having branches at Nesapakkam, & K K Nagar) for 31 years.
(ABHAI MEMBER- REG No -1531)
She is a soft spoken, very sincere, total commitment and dedication to the art, she has performed Bharathanatyam in group for 2008 times and individual {Solo} for 1002 times. Her disciples are also well trained & molded by Mrs Dharani Ramakrishna.
Presently, Dr. Dharani Ramakrishna is one of the finest artistes in the field of Bharathanatyam.