28+
Years of Experience
9+
Students Taught
1
Followers
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Santosh Nair is a distinguished Indian classical and contemporary dancer, choreographer, and the founder of Sadhya – A Unit of Performing Arts. His artistic journey began in 1986, learning Kathakali under his father, Kalamandalam Padmanabhan. He further honed his Kathakali skills at the International Centre for Kathakali under the tutelage of Sadanam…
Journey Timeline
1986
Began Kathakali training — Under his father, Kalamandalam Padmanabhan.
1988
Stage debut — As Krishna in Purappad at Ayyappa temple in Delhi's R.K. Puram.
1990
Joined Narendra Sharma's dance group — Toured East Germany with the group.
1995
Performed as solo Mayurbhanj Chhau dancer — In China, North Korea, Mongolia, Indonesia with Natya Ballet Centre.
1995-2000
Trained in Mayurbhanj Chhau — Under Guru Janmey Joy Sai Babu.
1998
Collaborated with Editta Braun — Performed in Germany, Vienna, Salzburg, and other European cities.
1998
Founded Sadhya - A Unit of Performing Arts — Established in New Delhi.
2001
Performed in Festival of India — In London.
2002
Choreographed and performed 'The Life of Gautam Buddha' — At Kal Chakra festival in Bodhgaya, and in the USA and Singapore.
2002
Choreographed and performed in Uday Shankar Samaroh — In Calcutta.
2004
Premiered 'The Game of Dice'
2009
Choreographed 'Jagriti - the awakening' — For Sangeet Natak Akademi festival in Mumbai.
2010
Choreographed 'Chaitanya' — Home production, premiered in IHC.
2011
Initiated World Dance Day celebration — In association with IHC & Sadhya.
2011
Performed & choreographed 'The Game of Dice' — In Toronto, Canada for Kalanidhi Fine Arts Festival and in Austria.
2012
Appointed Artistic Director for Moving Earth Project — With Sampad South Asian arts as part of London 2012 events in Birmingham, UK.
2014
Created 'The Mystical Forest' — For the Kalanidhi Arts Festival; World Premiere in Canada.
2014
Represented India in 2nd Indo-Arab Festival — In Algiers, performing in Algiers, Tlemcen & Annaba.
2023
Sadhya celebrates 25 years
Choreographed inaugural performance at Bharat Mandapam International Convention Centre
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
Performance videos will appear here.
Signature Performances
Signature repertoire pieces will be showcased here.
Performance Map
A world map of performances will appear here as tours are recorded.
Awards & Honors
- PHD Art & Culture Samman — PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee Lifetime Achievement Award
- Guru Samman Award
Media Coverage
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