Bhairavi Venkatesan was born on 20.03.1998 in Chennai in a family of classical dance artistes. Her mother, Shobha Korambil, being an accomplished Kuchipudi artiste, it was quite natural that Bhairavi Venkatesan was initiated into dance at a very early age. She got all the encouragement from her father, D. Venkatesan, Deputy Director General in the Ministry of Tourism, New Delhi, who allowed her to stay back in Chennai to pursue training in classical dance.

 

She started her career in dance at the tender age of two, when she appeared on the stage performances as ‘Baby Krishna”, learning Bharathanatyam under the able guidance of her Aunt, Smt. Sheela Unnikrishnan. Bhairavi continued her Bharathanatyam training with ease and was also performing alongside in a variety of roles apart from dancing solos and in groups, in various programs directed by her aunt (Teacher). Winning accolades from ‘Rasikas’ for her portrayals in the roles of Krishna, Siva, Dasaratha, Lalithambika etc. in Smt. Sheela's dance dramas so far, Bhairavi has proved her inherent dancing talent performing in many notable solos and group presentations choreographed and directed by her Guru at various dance festivals, in India and abroad.

 

Bhairavi has been conferred the prestigious "BAL SHREE" award, the highest honour from the Government of India in the field of Creative Performance, after completing several challenging levels, in the year 2013. A budding artiste sprouting from childhood, Bhairavi is now pursuing her 2nd year in Sociology at Stella Maris College, Chennai.

 

Initiated by the legendary Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam in the year 2003, she is also a student of Guru Jaikishore Mosalikanti in Kuchipudi since 2008 and has appeared as Sri Krishna in Sri Mosalikanti's group presentations. A Grade “B” artiste in Chennai Doordarshan, Bhairavi's other interests include reading, creative writing, solving crosswords, drawing, painting and Carnatic Music.

 

Notable Achievements:

 

·      “Bal Shree”, Government of India (2013)

·      Guru Ellappa Endowment Award, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (2014)

·      Nrithya Vichithra, Sridevi Nrithyalaya (2013) 

·      Sushil Keerthi, Kalamandir College of Fine Arts (2015) 

·      Best Dancer in Bharatanatyam Senior category, PARAM, a national level competition conducted by AIDA &

       Nrithyathi Kalakshetram (2017)

·      Awarded Smt. Rukmini Devi Smrithi Samman (2017)

·      Natvar Gopikrishna National Award (2017)

·      Yogalaya Foundation – I Prize 

·      Sivanugraha Foundation - II prize

·      National Natraj Dance Competition - III prize

·      Akhil Bharathiya Sankruthik Sangh - I prize

·      Concern India Foundation – I prize

·      Rasa Arpita - III prize

·      Indian Fine Arts Society - II prize

·      Mudhra, Chettinad Kalai Koodam - I prize

·      Sindhu Memorial Dance Competition – I prize
                                

Notable solo performances (in India):

 

·      Vipanchee 

·      Mylapore Fine arts Club 

·      Brahma Gana Sabha

·      Indian Fine Arts Society 

·      Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha 

·      Karthik Fine Arts 

·      Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha 

·      Youth in Dance, Padmalaya Dance Foundation

       (Duet with Kum. Harinie Jeevitha)

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Notable solo performances (Abroad):

 

·      American Tamil Sangams’ Annual Celebrations by FETNA,

       New York  (Duet with her Mother)

·      Trade Fair Cultural Programmes by KOTFA in South Korea 

·      The Hindu Temple Society of North America, New York 

·      Boston University, Boston (Duet with her Mother)

·      Ugadhi Celebrations of Telugu Federation - Malaysia (Kuchipudi)

       – 2012

·      Cultural Celebrations in Olympic Park, during London Olympics – 2012

·      The Royal Festival Hall, London – 2012

·      Tour for Indian Cultural Festival, Taiwan – 2013

·      Indian Embassy, Germany (solo) – 2014

·      Kalaikovil Performing Arts Centre, Canada – 2018

 

 

Notable Group performances:

 

·      Chidambaram Natyanjali

·      Mamallapuram Dance Festivals

·      Konark Dance Festival (Bharatanatyam)

·      Delhi Tamil Sangam

·      Vysakhi Nrityotsav

·      Perur Natyanjali

·      Bruhan Natyanjali

·      Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Puduchery Doordarshan

·      Pollachi Tamizh Sangam Dance & Music Festivals

·      Konark Dance Festival (Kuchipudi group) 

·      Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, December Dance Festival

·      Music Academy Dance & Music Festival - 2015 (Kuchipudi group)

·      Music Acadmy Dance & Music Festival – 2017 (Bharathanatyam Group)

·      S.U.N.A.INA, New Delhi

·      Taiwan

·      Shivanjali, Sri Lanka – 2018