Ganna Smirnova

1987

First exposure to Indian classical dance — During a "Year of India" festival in the Soviet Union, after 12 years of training in classical ballet and Ukrainian folk dance.

1998

Received ICCR scholarship — To study Bharatanatyam in New Delhi, India.

1998-2003

Intensive Bharatanatyam training — Under Guru Smt Jayalakshmi Eshwar in New Delhi, also learned Carnatic Vocal music, Mayurbhanj Chhau, and introductory Kuchipudi.

2000

Arangetram

2003

Returned to Kyiv and founded Indian Theater Nakshatra — Established the theatre at T. G. Shevchenko University and began teaching Bharatanatyam.

2004

Empaneled as an artist under ICCR — A distinguished acknowledgement from the premier body of art and culture in India.

2005

Organized the first international festival of Indian classical dances, Nrityaanjali — In Kyiv, with the help of the Indian embassy and community.

2007-2015

Second sojourn in India — Traveled across India to deepen her enrichment in Indian culture.

2010

Nakshatra honored with "Ukraine's National Amateur Collective" title

Undated (before 2011)

Authored 'Indian Temple Dance – Tradition, Legends and Philosophy' — The first such book in Russian by a practicing local performer in the CIS region.

2012

Performed at 150-year celebrations of Rabindranath Tagore and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya — In Vishwa Bharati and Banaras Hindu University, respectively.

2014

Began teaching at Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Centre in Moscow — Handed over Nakshatra's baton to Victoriya Burenkova during extended stays in Moscow.

2022

Relocated to Hastings, UK — Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, continues teaching Bharatanatyam and collaborating on cultural projects.

2024

Awarded "Kala Vagvisvarupini" Title — From HTCC Bothell, WA, USA, for Odissi performance.