Details of Training in Bharatanatyam, Names of Guru/s/ Institution

Lakshmi initiated her training under Late Smt. Padmini Rao. And had her Rangapravesha under Smt. Padmini Ramachandran. For the past 18 years she has been nurtured and inspired by Late Smt. Narmada (of the Tanjore style) and Prof. M.R. Krishnamurthy(of the Pandanallur style). She has also learnt from Smt. Neela Ramgopal.

Date of Arangetram Nov 1988

Dance styles learnt Bharatanatyam

CAREER DETAILS

Awards

• Holds the distinction of being Karnataka’s first recipient of The M. G. R. Best Youth Dancer Award from the prestigious Madras Music Academy in 1991.
• Is an auditioned ‘A’ Grade Artiste of Doordarshan.
• Is the recipient of the ‘Sangithya Award’ in 2007 for contributing towards Bharatanatyam in Karnataka.

Research

Has been a part of many research projects of Chitralekha Dance Company in Birmingham, England.

• Kaishiki- 1996
• Ashtanayaka- 1998
• Emotions (based on the story of Amrapali) – 1999

Performances

Lakshmi has performed extensively on invitation by several prestigious cultural festivals including:

• The Spirit of Unity Concerts for National Integration conducted by The Madras Telugu Academy. The ‘Spirit of Youth’ festival organized by the Music Academy, Madras.
• The Annual December Festival in leading sabhas in Chennai including the Music Academy, Krishnagana Sabha and Karthik Fine Arts.
• Annual Surya festival since October 2002. She had the privilege of inaugurating the Soorya chapters in Rome and Vienna.
• The Department of Kannada & Culture has invited her to perform for several important`National and International delegations.
• She has been a regular performer at the various cultural festivals conducted by the Department of Tourism at various historical sites, viz., Somnathpur, Hampi, Mysore Dasara, Pattadakal and Badami.
• Lakshmi appeared on the National Program of Dance, Doordarshan in 1995.
• Performed for the platinum jubilee celebrations of Kerala Kala Mandalam in 2005.

Countries visited on concert tours

Has presented her art abroad on invitation by

• The President of the Indo-Byelorussia Friendship society, Ukraine and Tashkent for the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster Foundation 1991.
• The President of the Republic of Singapore, Mr. S. R. Nathan for a charity organization
• Other organizations in canada,USA, Europe, Australia, the Gulf countries.
• World Malayalam Conference in Chicago 2004 and Las Vegas 2010
• Visited Moscow for performances in 2010

Contribution to Bharatanatyam 

• Lectures Conducted Workshops for school Children in India and abroad.
• Has taught Panchatantra Kathas to children undergoing dialysis using the hand gestures of Bharatanatyam.

Choreography (Dance items, dance-dramas, thematic presentations etc)

• Has choreographed some rare Padams of Maharaja Sri Swathi Thirunal and Mysore Maharaja Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar and Anthapura Geethe of D.V.Gundappa based on the sculptures of Belur and Halibedu.
• Choreographed the story of Naladamayanthi for music specially commissioned by the Malayala Manorama group.
• Has collaborated with and performed with Kathak exponent Rajendra Gangani and his disciples.

Any other information

• Lakshmi is also a keen student of Carnatic Music, learning under the able guidance of her mother Dr. Uma Gopalaswamy and Smt. Neela Ramgopal
• Lakshmi has also established her name as a sensitive actress in Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada cinema in over 33 movies..Kannada audiences might be familiar with her performance as a dancer in the blockbuster film 'aaptharakshaka' along with the late superstar of Kannada cinema, Mr. Vishnuvardhan.
• Her debut film with Mammootty, Arayanangalude Veedu, directed by Lohitdas won her the Kerala State Award.
• She has been awarded the “Best Actress” from the prestigious Kerala Film Critics Association and the Filfare award for her performances in the films Thaniye and Paradesi. And also the Filmfare award for Best Actor in a Supporting role for her film `Paradesi’, with Mohanlal.
• Her debut Hindi film `Dhuaan’ was screened prestigious International Film Festival, Goa and also for the President of India in March 2009.
• She continues balancing her active dance and film career.