Poornima Gururaj

🪔 About

Poornima Gururaj is a distinguished exponent of Bharatanatyam, deeply rooted in the Pandanallur/Tanjore School of dance. Her formative training was under the tutelage of Guru Smt. Narmada, who herself was a disciple of the legendary Guru Sri Kittappa Pillai of Tanjore. Gururaj also acknowledges an earlier guru, Kaushik, who instilled in her the principles of holistic learning. With a career spanning over two decades on stage and more than ten years as a respected dance guru, Poornima Gururaj has made significant contributions to the art form. She initially established the Pallavi School of Performing Arts in Boston, USA, where she trained numerous students and presented critically acclaimed arangetrams. Even after her relocation, her former students continue to perform and choreograph in the Boston area. Upon returning to India, Gururaj founded the Kalasindhu Academy of Dance and Related Arts in Bengaluru in 2007, after six years of extensive research into dance pedagogy. At Kalasindhu, she emphasizes not only dance technique but also the study of Sanskrit, deeming it essential for a profound understanding of Natya Shastra and shlokas. Her teaching philosophy extends to cultivating a strong cultural identity in her students. Poornima Gururaj is recognized for her innovative choreographic work, having presented over 14 rangapraveshams, each featuring new compositions. She is credited with reviving the Suladi format and integrating it into the Bharatanatyam Margam. As a prolific producer and director, her notable dance productions include "Ekadasha Rudra," "Krishna, A Poets Inspiration," "Shivotsavam," and "Tunta Ganapathi." Her dedication to the art has earned her prestigious accolades such as the Nada Prabhu Kempegowda Award from the Government of Karnataka and a Senior Fellowship from the CCRT Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Beyond her artistic pursuits, Poornima Gururaj holds an MBA from Brandeis University, USA, and previously worked as a marketing professional at Hewlett Packard. She is based in Bengaluru, India. Awards & Honours: Nada Prabhu Kempegowda Award, Govt. of Karnataka, Senior Fellowship, CCRT Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.