ABOUT THE ARTIST
Vidhya Subramanian, an eternal devotee of Bharatanatyam, instills her performances with stirring energy, refined elegance, and extraordinary sensitivity.
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Trained in the Vazhuvoor style by eminent gurus S. K. Rajarathnam and Abhinaya exponent Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, Vidhya mesmerizes audiences world-wide. The New York Times reviewed her performance at the celebrated World Music Institute as having "the internal glow of felt emotion" and the Times of India extolled her recital as displaying "rich grace in 'adavus' and [a] striking sense of the aesthetic".
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With an entrancing stage presence, Vidhya's performances portray a body in dialog with music, rhythm and ideology. She performs breathtaking representations of conceptual themes with remarkable discipline, mastery of space and time, and a "total internalization of emotive energy"
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An inventive choreographer, Vidhya recognizes the immensity of a stage, the worldview it offers, and the power of transformation that she could effect. She frequently challenges and complicates cultural and social mores, and takes on social causes from female empowerment to breaking down patterns of patriarchy and hegemony. As one reviewer put it, "Her dance was a powerful and sustained love-pact between the dancer and her material."
As a teacher and artistic director, her vision and guidance have been at the centre of student growth and ensemble works. Demonstrating her ability to evolve continually, she is a tangible inspiration for the students and dancers she mentors.
Vidhya holds a Master's degree in Theatre Arts and continues to participate in theatre and film projects, most notably Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan, as creative outlets to her multivariate talent.
ACCOLADES
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'Nrithya Choodamani - Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai
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Lifetime Achievement Award - Sasvatam, UK
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‘Natyashree of North America’ - Mitrahs Arts, New Jersey
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‘Natya Kala Ratna’ – Trinity Fine Arts, Chennai
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‘Nadanamamani’ – Karthik Fine Arts, Chennai
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‘ Yuva Kala Bharati’ – Bharat Kalachar, Chennai
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‘Nattiyamamani’ – Chennai
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‘Natya Arasi’ – Tuticorin
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‘Singar Mani’ – Sur Singar Samsad, Bombay
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‘M.G.R. Award for Excellence – Music Academy, Chennai
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Doordarshan, Indian Television – A grade ICCR Empanelled artist
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SPARSHA
ARTS
FOUNDATION
"I have founded Sparsha Arts Foundation in my father Sri K.S.Subramanian’s memory. Appa was an ardent supporter of the arts having founded Fine Arts Foundation along with Charukesi mama and has been a part of Narada Gana Sabha’s Natyarangam committee as one of its founding members. He encouraged many dancers and helped them find their first steps in Chennai’s arts milieu. He was also a passionate Mridangam player up until his end, having been a disciple of Kanadukathan Rajaraman and Pazhani Subramania Pillai. Appa is the reason I dance today and he was instrumental in instilling a tremendous love for the arts in me starting from when I was six years old."
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Sparsha, denotes a connection or interaction. In a broader sense, it can signify the impact or influence of one thing upon another, particularly in terms of touch or contact resulting in an effect or change.