Nandini Alva

🪔 About

Nandini Alva, born in 1961, is an accomplished Indian classical Bharatanatyam dancer. Her parents moved to Bangalore (now Bengaluru) in the 1960s, where her father established the pediatrics department at St. Martha's Hospital. Originally from Allahabad, Alva began her Bharatanatyam training at the tender age of five. By fourteen, she had already showcased her talent, performing for then-Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi at the prestigious Halebid Festival. Her life took a multifaceted turn after marrying politician Jeevaraj Alva at the age of sixteen. While supporting her husband's political career, serving as his chief campaign manager for several elections, she also pursued a Bachelor's degree in Politics. Despite her early promise in dance, her performing career saw a hiatus for nearly two decades. Following a period of personal challenges, including a troubled marriage that ended before her husband's passing, Nandini Alva ventured into new fields. She traveled abroad to study photography makeup and skin treatment, subsequently establishing several successful beauty salons in Bangalore. Alva later re-engaged with the arts and cultural landscape, becoming a prominent figure in Bangalore's cultural scene. She was instrumental in conceptualizing and organizing the Bengaluru Habba, a significant cultural festival for the city. Demonstrating her commitment to the arts, she co-founded "Artists' Foundation For the Artists," an NGO, alongside Padmini Ravi, serving as its Managing Trustee. Known for her linguistic abilities, she is proficient in seven languages, including Kannada, Hindi, English, Tulu, Tamil, Sanskrit, and French. Her return to public performances after a long break underscored her enduring passion for Bharatanatyam.