Always a learner with passion for excellence in performance, born on February 2 nd 1992, Kum. Preeti, took to the classical art of Bharatanatyam at the tender age of 4years. During her years of learning, she had the privilege of completing her Arangetram on the auspicious occasion of Guru Poornima, on the 12 th of July 2014. She has also had the opportunity of presenting several public programs featured in the Ranganatha Swamy temple, Guruvayur temple, Karur Natyanjali, Naadaneerajaanam festival at Tirupathi temple, Chinna Melam festival organised at the Thanjavur Brihadeeshwara temple, the Ankura dance festival organized by the Karnataka Nritya Kala Parishat, of which she is also a member, Kalotsav 2015, Sai Nrityotsava organised by Sai Arts International, Sant Namdev Marathi Bhasha Sangh Amravati, the International Sahaja Yoga seminar Ganapatipule, Public Performance at Government Auditorium Port Blair, International Sahaja Yoga seminar Brahmapuri, TEDx Mysore, International Sahaja Yoga seminar Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, National Sahaja Yoga seminar Shirdi, Maharashtra, National Sahaja Yoga Seminar Chennai, Dasami Festival at the Odukathur Mutt Bangalore, Rasaanubhaava - An evening of Bharatanatyam by the Adishakti School of Bharatanatyam Bangalore, Anusham Fine Arts - The Rasika Ranjani Sabha Mylapore Chennai, Shanmukhapriya Natyanjanli Chembur, Yashaswi festival organised by ICPA Bangalore, Udupi Shree Krishna Mutt, National Sahaja Yoga Seminar Amravati, Kadambari Utsav, India International Dance Festival-IIDF Bangalore, International Sahaja Yoga Seminar Cabella Ligure-Italy, Public Performance at Nantes-France, All India Classical Dance Festival at Central West Library Bangalore, Natyanjali 2020 at Chembur, Kalotsav 2020 at the Odukathur Mutt organised by the Sree Ramakrishna Bhajan Sabha Trust, Nrutyadhara Foundation, Shraavanam organised by Flute N Feet Academy Bangalore, Naadaamrutha Festival, Natya Sabha Mysore, Rithanjali Fine Arts Hosur Natyanjali, and many other prestigious forums in and outside India.
She has done the role of a Muslim princess at the age of 8 years in the dance drama BIBI NACHIAR Choreographed by National Awardee Shri. Syed Salauddin Pasha with the able assistance of Guru. Smt. Padma Thangavel for which she had been appreciated by Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Smt. Dr. Maya Rao for her exceptional Abhinaya at such a tender age. She has also performed in various inter- school and inter-college competitions and has won laurels.
She has received the Nritya Vidushi Award at the Nataranjali festival held in Kolkatta. She has also been awarded the National Natya Kala Rathna Award for outstanding and extraordinary talent and dedication as a Guru in the field of Indian Performing Arts – Classical Dance and also the National Natya Shiromani Award by NCDA at the All India National Classical Dance Festival, Tirupathi. She has also received the Kala Yashaswi title at the Yashaswi festival Bangalore, National Kala Samman Award by NCDA at Udupi, Silver Loyalty Award from NCDA, Best Performance Award at the Hosur Natyanjali, Natyakalamani Award at the Hosur Natyanjali.
She is currently the Vice Chairperson for ALL Ladies League South India Performing Arts, the State Director and the Cultural Secretary for the National Classical Dance Academy (NCDA) Bangalore Branch. She is also a council member for WICCI Karnataka Culture and Heritage Council. She is currently a Performing Artist of the MAYA Ensemble Directed by Shri. Shekar Rajendran.
During her training, she has also had the privilege of getting the knowledge of Taalas by attending the Taalam classes under the tutelage of renowned Mrindangist Vidhwan. Shri. N. Narayana Swamy and is currently learning the art of Nattuvangam and Taalam under the esteemed guidance of Karnataka Kalashree Guru. Shri. Kiran Subramanyam. She has also successfully completed her Junior, Senior and Visharad Examinations in Bharatanatyam, all with distinctions. She has also attended the Abhinaya workshop conducted by renowned danseuse and Abhinaya artiste Smt. Bragha Bessell and has also trained under Dr. Guru. Sucheta Bhide Chapekar, Director of Kala Vardhini, Pune.
She has completed her Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts, English Literature and Psychology (PEP), and her MA in Performing Arts (Dance, Music and Theatre), from Christ University Bangalore, under the able guidance of Mrs. Geetha Gopinathan of Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai and Guru. Vidwan. Dr. Shri. Vijay Madhavan. She has also trained in the foundation of Kuchipudi dances. She also conducts classes in Bharatanatyam and has her own dance school by the name Natarang School of Dance.
She is currently training in Carnatic music under the tutelage of Guru. Vidwan. Shri. Balasubramanya Sharma. She has also trained in Carnatic music under Guru. Shri. Ramesh Chadaga and Dr. Muthulakshmi. She has received basic training in Kathak under the guidance of Guru. Smt. Manasi Dandekar in Pune. She has completed a Dance Diploma course from Lourd Vijay’s Dance Studio (LVDS), Bangalore through which she has received basic training in dance forms like HipHop, Jazz, Contemporary, to name a few. She also has an MBA in Talent Mangement from XLRI Jamshedpur.
She and her institute Natarang School of Dance, is a certified member of the International Council for Dance, CID, UNESCO, France. She is a member of the National Classical Dance Academy. She has been a certified National Member Artist of Sankriti Bharat under the Indian Cultural Heritage Centre. She has trained under Guru. Smt. Jayakamala Pandiyan of the Vazhavoor Baani. She has successfully completed a Contemporary Dance Workshop from the Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts (ACMA). She is also a certified Yoga Instructor in Hatha Yoga from a1000 Yoga Academy. She has also completed a Voice Over and Dubbing Certification Course from AK Institute, Pune.
Practicing Sahaja Yoga, a unique form of meditation through self- realization propounded by H.H Shree Mataji Nirmala Devi, is immensely helping her in expressing herself in the divine art form of Bharatanatyam and in the journey of life.
Princess Surdaani
