Lata Raman

🪔 About

Lata Raman is a highly esteemed Indian classical dance figure, recognized as a Bharatanatyam guru, teacher, musician, choreographer, and Nattuvanar. She is a senior disciple of the late Kalaimamani Guru T.K. Mahalingam Pillai, who was associated with the Raja Rajeswari Bharatanatya Kalamandir. Raman furthered her academic pursuits by earning a Master's degree in Bharata Natyam from the University of Bombay, studying at Nalanda Nrityakala Mahavidyalaya. Her extensive training also includes Mohiniattam under the tutelage of Padmabhushan Guru Dr. Kanak Rele, and she participated in specialized workshops on Abhinaya, Padams, and Javali singing conducted by Padmabhushan Late Guru Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan. With a career spanning over 37 years as a dance teacher, Lata Raman has significantly contributed to the propagation of Bharatanatyam. She taught at the Sri Rajarajeswari Bharatha Natya Kala Mandir for 14 years and served as a lecturer at Nalanda Nrityakala Mahavidyalaya for three years. Her teaching methodology adheres to the traditional Tanjore style of Bharatanatyam. Beyond dance, she also imparts knowledge in Carnatic music and Nattuvangam. Raman is a prolific choreographer, having created and presented more than 200 Bharatanatyam pieces, including notable dance productions such as "Ramayana" (1997, 2000, 2005) and "Jagruti," a dance drama focusing on women's empowerment (2000). Her influence extends internationally, as she currently teaches Carnatic Music, Bharatanatyam, and Nattuvangam to students in the UK, USA, Norway, Netherlands, and Bangkok via Skype. Since 2009, she has served as an examiner for Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune University, and since 2012, she has been a consultant for the SAMVED Conservatory of Indian Classical Dance and Music in New Jersey, USA. Lata Raman is based in Mumbai, India, where she is associated with Nrityasudha Fine Arts, which conducts annual workshops. Awards & Honours: Natya Kala Saraswati (1998), Best Teacher (2000), Nritya Kala Sagar (2005), Nritya Shiromani (2006), Vidya Vibhushan (2009), Rashtra Vibhushan (2014), Rashtra Vibhuti (2016), FAME Award of Excellence (2016), Honorary Doctorate Award (Honoris Causa) in Performing Arts (2025), Bharat Siksha Ratna Award (2025).