Shantha Rao - Bharatanatyam

A contemporary legend in Indian classical dance, Shanta Rao was among the earliest women from non-traditional families to practice Bharatanatyam. As a disciple of Vidwan Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai of Pandanallur, she was also the first woman student of Kathakali at Kerala Kalamandalam under Guru Pattikamthodi Ramunni Menon. She also learnt Mohiniattam from Guru Krishnan Panikar. Later, she worked with Kuchipudi masters including Vempati Peda Satyam, Vedantam Reghavaiyya and Vempati Chinna Satyam.

By the mid-1950s, Shanta Rao had established herself as a leading exponent of Indian dance. She performed in various parts of India and several world capitals winning high acclaim. Vigorous nritta has been a mark of her dance, and the architectonic quality of her varnams, reflects the Thanjavur Pandanallur style. She also larnt the principles of Bhama Sutram from Venkata Chelapati Sastri to create her style, Bhama Nrityam.

Her major performances include recitals in Israel (1957), USA (1963), at the Royal Festival hall in London (1969) and the International Institution for Comparative Music Studies in Berlin (1977).

Shanta Rao was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1970) and the Padma Shri (1971).