REVATHI RAMACHANDRAN
Director
Dancer, choreographer and teacher of Bharatanatyam, Revathi Ramachandrans’ dance goes beyond the frame of the stage, in order to communicate the rasa and feeling that is embedded in the nuance of the art form. She assumed charge as the Director of Kalakshetra Foundation an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture on 20th of April 2018. She has a Masters’ degree in Economics.
Revathi’s repertoire has taken her to stages that pan India, Europe and America and prestigious festivals like the Qutub Festival, Khumb Mela, Mamallapuram Festival and more. Known for her prowess in complex rhythmic patterns, Revathi is the only exponent of ‘Sudha Nrittam’, an ancient temple dance revived by her Guru Mangudi Dorairaja Iyer. She is an empanelled artist of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and a graded artist of the Doordarshan Kendra.
Revathi has, over the years traveled far and wide in the realm of Bharathanatyam, exploring its vastness and its exclusive niches, guided by Gurus including Dr.Padma Subrahmanyam for theory, Guru Bhagavatulu Sitarama Sharma for Nattuvangam, Vidhushi Smt. Kalpagam Swaminathan for Veena, Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam for Kuchipudi and Guru Lakshmi Viswanathan for Abhinaya.
She was the recipient of a fellowship by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, to conduct research on Bhagavatha Mela. She coordinated the production of a CD-ROM ‘Bharathanatyam’ apart from choreographing and directing the tele serials – ‘Deiveega Tirumanangal’, ‘Kodhai Paadiya Paavai’ and ‘Gnaana Parambarai’.
Revathi Ramachandran has choreographed thematic presentations-Ambalathil Aadum Jyothi, Aayar Kula Tilakam, Jaya Jaya Bharatham , Om Saravana Bhava, Daayinee- the Eternal Giver, Laya Nirupanam, Brahma Atma Chakram, and Jagat Paavani Ganga. She has received many awards notable amongst them being ‘Arsha Kala Bhushanam’ from Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswathi.
Apart from her cultural achievements Revathi was a keen sports person. She captained the Tamil Nadu Womens’ Basketball team in early 80s.