Praveen Kumar P

🪔 About

P. Praveen Kumar, born on January 25, 1971, is a distinguished Indian dancer specializing in the classical dance form of Bharatanatyam. Hailing from a family of artists, he developed an early inclination towards dance. He received his foundational training in Bharatanatyam under the eminent guru Smt. S. Narmada and continues to refine his art under the tutelage of Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar. Kumar holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and was awarded a state government scholarship to pursue his dance training. Throughout his career, Praveen Kumar has established himself as a versatile artist, excelling as a performer, teacher, nattuvanar, and choreographer. He has been recognized as an 'A' graded artist on Doordarshan since 2002 and is an empanelled artist on the panel of classical performing artists for cultural missions and festivals abroad for the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). He has performed extensively across India and internationally, including at prestigious venues and festivals in the USA, UK, Italy, and Turkmenistan. His choreographic skills have led to several critically acclaimed dance-drama productions such as "Rtu Vismruthi," "Vani," "Shiva Sutra Jaala," "Sakha," "Loka Bandhavyam," "Anagha Vilasa," and "Pandharpur." Through his productions, he has explored diverse themes including climate change, interpersonal relationships, and mythological dimensions. In 2007, Praveen Kumar founded the Chithkala School of Dance in Bengaluru, where he imparts training to young dancers. The institution is renowned for balancing tradition with modernity in its teaching methodology, nurturing students to develop their unique artistic identities. His teaching philosophy emphasizes a two-sided learning process, drawing from his extensive experience as a performer and choreographer. Awards & Honours: Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2010), Mohan Khokar Award (2010), Best Dancer of the Season (2018), Best Dancer of the Season (2019), Obul Reddy Endowment Senior dancer award (2016), Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Prathibha Purskar (2016), Chandana Prashasthi (2017), Karnataka Kalasri (2021).