Meet Subhramanyam, Bharatnatyam dancer in conversation with Padma Vibhushan, whose Ghungroos strike with pride

Padma Subrahmanyam, India's finest classical dancer, has been awarded Padma Vibhushan for her contribution in the field of dance.

After being awarded the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Subrahmanyam has now been conferred the Padma Vibhushan, one of the highest civilian honors in India. She is an eminent Bharatnatyam dancer whose ghungroos have wooed people all over the world. She is an Indian classical dancer, scholar and choreographer who has made significant contributions to the field of Bharatanatyam.

Who is Padma Subrahmanyam?

Padma Subrahmanyam was born on February 4, 1943 in Madras (now Chennai), India. She was born into a family with a strong artistic background. Her mother, Meenakshi, was a skilled dancer, and her father, K. Subrahmanyam, was a renowned scholar of Indian art and culture. Under the guidance of her parents, Padma started learning Bharatanatyam at a young age.

She has honed her skills in both the Pandanallur and Vazhuvoor styles of Bharatanatyam. Over the years she has developed her own distinctive style, combining traditional elements with innovative techniques and expressions.

Padma Subrahmanyam is credited with several important contributions in the field of Bharatanatyam. She has explored and revived many forgotten elements of the dance form, including ancient temple sculptures and inscriptions that provide insight into the original techniques and aesthetics of Bharatanatyam. She has also developed a unique system of dance notation called the 'Sapta Talas' which facilitates the preservation and transmission of dance compositions.

She has a Ph.D. in dance and has authored numerous research articles and publications on Indian classical dance. She has served as professor and head of the Department of Indian Music at the University of Madras, and has lectured and conducted workshops worldwide on dance and related topics.

She has also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Kalaimamani Award and the Natya Kala Acharya Award, among others.

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Padma Subrahmanyam's dedication, expertise and artistic vision have played a crucial role in the preservation, promotion and evolution of Bharatanatyam. She continues to inspire generations of dancers and scholars with her passion and contributions to Indian classical dance.