Dr Archana S Rao, after completing her illustrious academic career with M.Sc in Microbiology from Mangalore University and her Ph.D in Biotechnology in the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, her passion for Bharathanatyam made her take up Master of Fine Arts under the aegis of legendary artist Dr Padma Subrahmanyam.
It was not only dancing but also her thirst for deeper understanding made her complete a research projects on Nritta Mantapa in Temple & Kunita of Karnataka – A study on folk dances of Karnataka and present her paper on the same subjects.
Born in the beautiful Thirthahalli Taluk Archana has carried the grace of an unpolluted atmosphere into her very personality to naturally blossom as a dancer par excellence!
She was trained under the best of teachers like Natyacharya Ravi Datar, Smt. Githa Datar, Roopa Upadhya, Kalamandalam Usha Datar, Mr Sujith Kumar, Rajarajeswari, and finally completed her MA under the guidance of Padma Bhushan Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, Nrithyodaya Chennai to emerge as a complete dancer.
Archana S Rao performed at various levels from classical Bharathanatyam to Yoga Dance and in the year 2013 participating in largest Tarangam Dance, had gone into Guinness Book of World Records!
With her continuously excelling performances and her exemplary personality she was hailed as the best student by her teachers and best teacher by her students!
Bharatha Siri – National Award for Bharathantyam – Ajantha Cultural Association, Bangalore, 2012State Award – Senior
Karnataka Siri – National Award for Yoga – Ajantha Cultural Association, Bangalore, 2012
Janapada Siri – Kuvempu University -
Abhinandana Puraskara-
Uttama Nruthyagarthi – Tunga Mahavidyalaya, Thirthahalli – 11-
Bharathanatyam – Anandpura, Karnataka, 2000
Senior fellowship for Bharathanatyam – Karnataka Sangeetha Nrithya Academy-
Kishora Prathibhe -
Best actress award for Dance Drama Venu visarjane
Participated in many dance competitions at junior and senior levels and won prizes at district and state levels
Won prizes for acting in dramas, dance dramas, fancy dress competitions, mono acting etc.
Article had been published on her dance performance in Sihimogeya Yuva Sinchana by S. K. Gajendra Swami, Shimoga in the year 2005
Siganduru Chowdeshwari Temple, 2015
Ganamukundapriya – Kapaleeshwara temple, Chennai, 2015
Ganapathi festival, Girinagar, Bangalore, 2013
Navaratri Uthsava – Gayitri Temple, Bangalore – 2010
National Conference, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore-
International Conference, Airport Authority, Bangalore – 2011
Sringeri Laksha Deepothsava – 2010
International conferences – Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore
Hampi Uthsava – 2009
Mysore Dasara – 2008
Dasara, Thirthahalli – 1993 to 2004
Mari Jatre, Sagara -
Mari Jatre, Thirthahalli – 2001
Ganapathi uthsava, Guddekeri – 23-
Kannada Yuvaka Sangha – Anandpura, Sagara – 18-
Guddekoppa Ganesha Festival – 1999
Maha chowthi, Hadigallu – 1997, 2000
Ramothsava, Ambuthirtha -
Ramothsava, Aralasurali -
Acting (Major roles)
Movie -
Dance drama -
Dance drama -
Drama -
Drama -
Drama -
Serial -
Choreography
Mahishasura mardini – dance drama
Shiva – Yoga Dance
Many classical compositions
Folk dances
Semi classical and contemporary dances
Dances for school children during annual days and dance competitions
Teaching
Conducting Bharathanatyam classes for Junior and Senior levels
5 years of experience in teaching for school children
A year of expertise in teaching depression patients
I would like to ensure strong adherence to traditional art form in my teachings
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Bharatha Siri, Karnataka Siri, Janapada Siri, Kishora Prathibhe
& Uttama Nruthyagarthi
A conference on Natya -
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