Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala

🪔 About

Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala, born on April 7, 1961, is a distinguished Indian Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She received her initial training in Bharatanatyam from veteran Guru Kalaimamani Smt. Krishnakumari Narendran of Abinaya Natyalaya, performing her Arangettam in 1978. She further honed her skills under the tutelage of Padma Bhushan Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan and Shri. Seetharama Sharma, specializing in the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam. With a career spanning over four decades, Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala is recognized as an 'A' grade artiste by Doordarshan and has been an empaneled artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) since 2008. She is also a member of the International Dance Council (CID, UNESCO) and has served as the Honorary Secretary and later Vice President of ABHAI (Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India). She has performed extensively at prestigious venues across India and internationally, representing India as a Cultural Ambassador in Europe in 1998. Her artistic contributions include solo performances and panoramic dance ballets on devotional themes, notably the Annamayya Ballet and ballets inspired by the legacy of her father-in-law, the renowned musician Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao. In 1998, she formally established the Kalapradarshini School of Performing Arts (also known as Kalapradarshini Centre for Performing Arts and Cultural Activities) in Chennai. This institution is recognized both in India and overseas, providing holistic training in classical performing arts and offering students opportunities for performances and workshops. The Department of Culture, Government of India, supports Kalapradarshini with a salary grant, fostering the next generation of dance professionals. Awards & Honours: Natya Kala Ratna, Kalaimamani Tamil Nadu State Award, Lifetime Achievement Award (Swarna Bharat Trust) (2024), Nritya Vidya Ratna (2024), Lifetime Achievement Award (Tamil Cultural Academy) (2025).