RASHMI KHANNA (BACKGROUND IN DANCE)
Rashmi is one of the founders and Vice President of Kalyani Kala Mandir. She underwent training from her Guru Smt. Kalyani Shekar in the Dandayudapanipillai style of Bharatnatyam for more than twenty five years and continues to do so.
Her expertise in Bharatnatyam has won her many Awards including the “Critic Circle Of India Award”, the “Sakha Award”, “Pride of the Nation Award” and the “Sarasalaya Award”. She also has many titles tucked under her belt, the important ones being the “Nritya Vidya Ratna” and the “Nritya Bharat Ratna”, bestowed upon her by leading dance institutions of Delhi and Chennai.
The “Nav Kiran Award” has recognized her contribution towards the field of Classical Arts awarded to her during the 6th National Women’s Excellence Awards held in New Delhi. Her latest achievement is the Honorary Doctorate that has been bestowed upon her.
She has also been a scholarship holder to support her proficiency in Bharatnatyam from the ICCR, Sahitya Kala Parishad and the Ministry of Culture (HRD). She has not only performed in all the important cities of the Country, including the Khajuraho Festival but also represented India in the Asian Youth Festival held at Seoul, Korea.
Aside from pursuing Bharatnatyam as a full time profession, she has also completed a Folk Dance course from Bal Bhawan, trained in Kathak, and learnt Modern Indian Ballet as well as Chhau from Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra. She has learnt Salsa, Jazz and Tap Dancing also from the Delhi School of music.
Rashmi has been an achiever and has fast prospered in her dance and has been recognized as a great artist by critics in publications, being graded as a Doordarshan artiste and been interviewed by Zee, Doordarshan, StarPlus and other networks.
To broaden her horizons as an artist and for satiating her quest for seeking knowledge in the field of dance, architecture and iconography and exploring other dance forms as well, Rashmi is currently pursuing Masters in Performing Arts from the World University of Design.