Rema Srikant

🪔 About

Rema Srikant, born on October 29, 1956, is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and teacher, primarily known for her expertise in Bharatanatyam. Her early training began at the tender age of four under her parents, Guru Krishna Panicker and Smt. Gauri Panicker, at their Nritya Prabha institute in Mumbai. She further honed her skills under the tutelage of the eminent Padmabhushan Awardee Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar at the Faculty of Performing Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara. During her graduate and postgraduate studies, she achieved academic excellence, securing a distinction, first rank, and the prestigious University Gold Medal. Beyond Bharatanatyam, Srikant is also proficient in other South Indian classical dance forms, having learned Mohiniyattam from Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Kuchipudi from Guru Acharyalu, and Kathakali. With a career spanning over four decades, Rema Srikant has performed extensively both within India and internationally, including in the USA, UK, Russia, Japan, and other Far Eastern countries. She is an empanelled artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India, which has facilitated her participation in various cultural exchange programs, notably performing in the 'Year of India Festival 2009' in Russia. A prolific choreographer, she began creating dance dramas as early as 1975, showcasing her innovative approach within classical parameters. In 1976, Srikant established the "Ellora Center for Performing Arts" (ECPA) in Vadodara, Gujarat, an institution renowned for its comprehensive training in Indian classical dances. Through ECPA, she has dedicated over 37 years to nurturing a large number of students, including her daughter Nritya Gopikrishnan, imparting not only dance techniques but also valuable life skills and core values. Her contributions to classical dance have been widely recognized with several accolades, including the Gujarat Sangeet Natak Academy Award, the 'Gaurav Puraskar' in 2000 from the Gujarat State Sangeet Natak Academy, the 'Kala Shri' Award in 2012 from the Kerala Sangeet Natak Akademies, and the Anjali Merh Gold Medal. Awards & Honours: Gujarat Sangeet Natak Academy Award, University Gold Medal (M.S. University), Gaurav Puraskar (2000), Kala Shri Award (2012), Anjali Merh Gold Medal.