Rekha Raju
Raju performing Mohiniyattam
Born10 April, (age 36 years )
Kalpathi, Palakkad, Kerala
EducationPhD in Fine Arts
Alma materBangalore University
Occupation(s)Dancer, Choreographer
Years active2003–present
Known forMohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam
Websiterekharaju.com

Rekha Raju is an Indian classical dance performer and teacher from Bangalore, Karnataka. She specialises in the Bharatnatyam and Mohiniyattam dance forms.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Early life and education

Rekha was born in Palakkad district, Kerala to M.R.Raju, a theatre artiste, and Jayalakshmi Raghavan and brought up in Bangalore. She started learning classical dance at the age of four. She trained intensively under various gurus, including Kalamandalam Usha Datar, Raju Datar, Gopika Varma and Janardhanan.[9] She started her college education pursuing a degree in commerce, while she studied Administration in Human Resource & Accounts and Performing of Art for her master's degree.[10] She completed her Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Heidelberg University, Germany. She is a distinction holder of master's degree in Bharathnatyam and rank holder of the Vidwath [proficiency].[11][12]

Career

She made her stage debut (Arangetram) in 2003 at Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bangalore.[13][14][15] She has been performing on various stages in India and abroad from the age of four and performed as a soloist for many respected institutions of dance in India, including Yuva Sourabha, organized by the Kannada Culture Department, programme at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Institute of World Culture, Delhi International Festival, Poona Dance Festival, Kajuraho Dance Festival, Konark Dance Festival, Purana Quila, Chennai Seasonal Dance Festival, Chidambaram Dance Festival, Vishwa Kannada Sammelan at Belgaum, Andhra Music & Dance Festival etc. She has received much critical acclaim for both her solo and group choreography.[16][17][18][19] Presently Raju is working as an assistant dance teacher at Bangalore Tamil Sangam and as a guest lecturer in dance at the International Center for Management & Indian Studies where the foreign students trained to improvise Indian culture.[20][21] She is an auditioned artiste at the Bangalore Doordarshan and an empanelled artiste for the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. She also heads a dance institution named Nrithya Dhama, where she trains kids from minority backgrounds, and is also associated with the Freedom Foundation, a volunteer group that rehabilitates children with HIV.[22][23] Raju has participated at the Tanjore Dance Festival where 1000 dancers performed, securing entrance in the Limca Book of Records.[24][25][26] She has been honoured by the Bangolre Tamil sangam as the Best Young Dancer to promote Indian Art. She has also been given the title Swarna Mukhi by the Kalahalli Temple Trust.[27][28]

Awards and credentials

  • Ustad Bismillah Khan 2020 - Central Sangeet Natak Academy( overall contribution to performing arts )
  • Kalayogi from Bangalore ICCR - 2018
  • Krishna Gana Sabha Endowment Award by Krishna Gana Sabha - 2016[29]
  • Yuva Kala Prathibha by Bangalore Club for Kathakali and The Arts - 2014[30]
  • Abhinava Bharathi - 2013
  • Yuva Kala Bharathi by Bharat Kalachar - 2013
  • Natya Veda Award by Natraj Dance Academy - 2013
  • Nrithya Kaumudhi title by Government of Andhra Pradesh - 2012[31]
  • Nrithya Vibhushan by Bogadi Murthy - 2012[32]
  • Nrithya Rejini title by Kannur Arts Academy - 2011[33]
  • Swara Mukhi title by Kalhalli Temple Trust - 2010[34]
  • Best Young Dancer by Bangalore Tamil Sangam - 2009

References

  1. "Official Website". Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  2. The New Indian Express News on 27 May 2013
  3. The Hindu News on 18 June 2014
  4. Deccan Herald News on 1 September 2012
  5. "News British Biologicals" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  6. The Hindu 26 September 2014
  7. The Hindu News on 17 Nune 2014
  8. "Karnataka News". Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  9. "Website of Alliance Farncaise". Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  10. The Hindu 26 September 2014
  11. "Website of Alliance Farncaise". Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  12. "Official Website". Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  13. "Website of Alliance Farncaise". Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  14. "Official Website". Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  15. Website of Meet Kalakar
  16. The New Indian Express News on 27 May 2013
  17. "Website of Alliance Farncaise". Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  18. "Official Website". Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  19. Website of Cyber Kerala
  20. "Website of Alliance Farncaise". Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  21. "Official Website". Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  22. The Hindu 26 September 2014
  23. Official Website of Nrithya Dhama
  24. "Website of Alliance Farncaise". Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  25. "Official Website". Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  26. Website of Meet Kalakar
  27. "Website of Alliance Farncaise". Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  28. "Official Website". Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  29. The Carnatic Darbar 26 December 2016
  30. The Hindu 26 September 2014
  31. Website of Meet Kalakar
  32. Website of Meet Kalakar
  33. Website of Meet Kalakar
  34. Website of Meet Kalakar
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