Kalapadma Bharatanatyam Dance Academy Chicago
Est. 1992
Join us at Kalapadma Dance Academy Chicago for the chance to learn the ancient art of Bharatanatyam Indian classical dance.
About Kalapadma
BRANCHES: BHOPAL, VARANASI & CHICAGO
A Timeless Institution Devoted to the Arts
Kalapadma Dance Academy was formally inaugurated by Late Dr.Shankardayal Sharma (Former President of India) on February, 1960. It was established with the objective of promoting classical Indian dances and to train children and youth in it. The untiring efforts of the institution’s founder-President, Smt.Vishalakshi Johri, sister of the well-known Dancer and Philanthropist Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, enabled Kalapadma to make commendable progress. The main spirit behind the Academy is Natyacharya Shri Shankar Hombal, disciple of Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, of the internationally renowned Kalakshetra, Chennai, where he had extensive training in Bharatanatyam and Kathakali. For the last 50 years, Shri Hombal and his family members, all of whom are experts in the art of Bharatanatyam have fully devoted themselves to nuturing the institution and the art. Kalapadma Dance Academy is affiliated to the Madhya Pradesh Kalaparishad, Bhopal and the Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidhyalaya, Khairagarh. It prepares students for various examinations in Bharatanatyam from Prathama to M.A. levels. Some of the notable genre of dance dramas, choreographed and staged by Kalapadma, Bhopal and Chicago are as following: - Rabindranath Tagore’s Chitrangada during the Tagore Centenary Celebrations and Vanagamana during the Tulsidas Chatushshatabdi Samaroha at Bhopal. Kalidasa’s plays Vikranmovashiyam, Kumarasambavam, and Meghdoot, which bagged the golden trophy two times for the best performances during the All India Kalidasa Samaroha at Ujjain. Other less notable ones are Vanavadhu, Mendak Ki Barat, Temptation of Buddha, Panchvati, Ganga-Avataran, Kaliyamardan, Makhan Chor Giridhar, Krishna Leela and Ritu Sandesh.
Smt. Ruth Parijata Varghese
The Guru
Ruth Varghese is the artistic director of Kalapadama Dance Academy, Chicago. She is not only a versatile classical dancer but an innovative dance teacher and a choreographer. Ruth had her early training under her father Guru Shri Shankar Hombal. She had her advanced training in Bharatanatyam at the internationally famed academy for classical art, Kalakshetra, Chennai. She has given numerous performances in India and in U.S. She is awarded with the title of ‘Singar-Mani’ (Jewel of Expression) and is the recipient of three gold medals. Ruth holds masters degree in Fine Arts (Painting) and Bharatnatyam classical dance. She is also proficient in Odissi style of classical dancing and has performed median debut (Arangetram) with her guru one of the greatest of Odissi dance, Padmashree Kelucharanji Mahapatra of Cuttack, Orissa. But now she istotally focuses in Bharatanatyam classical dancing though she, time to time draws on her odissi training in her choreographies. She has successfully choreographed and staged two dance ballets “Krishna Leela and Ritu Sandesh”. For her untiring work in the field of Bharatanatyam Consulate General of India at Chicago awarded her with the “Honor of Distinction” in 2002. For her dedication in preserving and propagating the Indian cultural heritage, Federation of Indian Associations of America, Chicago honored her with “Distinguish Cultural Ambassador Award” in 2004. In 2006 she was invited by Sur Singar Samati to come and perform for their Golden Jubilee Celebration in Mumbai where she performed with many great contemporary classical artist of India. In 2008 Indian Communityof Niles Township has honored Ruth with “Cultural Jewel” Award. In 2009, on the invitation of Kalpadma Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh Government, Ruth travelled with her daughter Anjali Varghese to give a performance at Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal for the Golden Jubilee Celebration.
Santosh Varghese
President
Mr. Santosh Varghese has been associated with Kalapadma, Bhopal for the past 35 years. He has been instrumental in its growth in Bhopal at various capacities. For the past 20 plus years Santosh helped Kalapadma take its root and grow in Chicagoland area. Under his leadership, Kalapadma has performed many successful Dance Ballets and Recitals in around Chicago winning accolades and praises from various organization and communities.
Contact
If you would like more information we’d be more than happy to help. Please fill out the form below we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Email:
Phone:
(224)-563-9843