 Chitra Vishweswaran is famed as one of
the leading Bharatnatyam dancers of India. A competent performer, teacher
and choreographer, she heads her own dance institution, 'Chidambaram Academy of
Performing Arts (CAPA)', at Chennai.
Chitra's association with dance began
early at the tender age of three from her own mother, Smt. Rukmini Padmanabhan,
an excellent dancer herself. She took up Western Classical Ballet in London
where her father was Railway Adviser at the Indian High Commission. This was
followed by training in Manipuri and Kathak in Calcutta (Kolkata). Chitra started training
under Smt.T. A. Rajalakshmi which continued for 10 years. Under her guidance,
talented Chitra could achieve a level of proficiency and she choreographed her
first dance at the age of eleven.
In 1970, she received the National Scholarship for advanced study in Bharatnatyam from the Ministry of Human Resources Development and went for training under the Bharatnatyam exponent Vazhuvoor Ramaiyya Pillai. On completion of her scholarship, she started working on her own. Chitra's husband, Vishweswaran a vocalist, composer and santoor player is also an artist in his own right. Together they are considered a contributive force to be reckoned with in the field of Indian Dance and Music. Chitra has performed in all major dance festivals in India and toured abroad often. Her dance and lecture-demonstrations have been documented for reference by various institutions and universities
Chitra has contributed her own concepts
to the traditional Indian dance style through her experimentation and
innovations. She produced and choreographed several dance dramas in her own
style which were highly appreciated. Some of them are 'Devi Ashta Rasa Malika',
'Panchali' based on Subramania Bharathi’s Panchali Sabadam, 'Raghuvamsa
Thilakam', 'Ayothi Mannan',’Dwarakanatham Bhaje', Dasavatharam', 'Nritya
Srinkhala'.
She has bagged many credits and awards
for her contribution towards Bharatnatyam. She is the first dancer to be invited
to occupy the Rabindranath Tagore Chair of Fine Arts in the University of
Madras. She is also a member of the General Council and Executive Board of the
Central Sangeet Natak Akademi. In 1980, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha awarded the 'Nritya
Choodamani' to Chitra. In 1982, the Government of Tamilnadu give her the title,
'Kalaimamani'. She received the 'Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award' in 1987
and the 'Padma Shri' in 1992. She was also awarded the titles of 'Mahila
Shiromani' and 'Sthree Ratnam'. Now she is involved in teaching and helps to
collect funds for 'RASA', an institute using creative dance and music therapy
for special children with learning disabilities.
Contact Address :
Chitra Vishweswaran
Chidambaram Academy Of Performing Arts,
10, Sri Labdi Colony, Alwarpet,
Chennai 600 018
Phone : 044- 499 0036, Fax : 044- 499 2566,
Contact now : E-mail
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