Our principal, Shilpa Pramodh, is the founder of Natya Darpana School of Dance. She is a passionate Dancer who has mastered in Bharatanatyam from The Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai.  The Kalakshetra Foundation, which is devoted to the revival of traditional dance, was built up for the memory of Rukmini Devi, a divine lady dedicated to arts with her major interest in the field of Bharatanatyam. 

Shilpa's passion for dance took shape at the age of eight when she has started with professional training in fine arts. Her aspiration as a professional today is to imbibe the sensibilities of this traditional dance with the thoughts and experiences of modern-day. Shilpa desires to bring the traditions of visual and performing art to today’s audience without losing its intrinsic value or compromising on its sensibilities. 

Dance has brought out the best in Shilpa and her goal is to make more people aware about this proud Indian heritage. Shilpa has been teaching for over 10 years and currently she conducts classes at Clarksburg, Maryland. 

Education :

1998–2002 Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, India

4 Years Diploma

Main: Bharatanatyam 

Sub: Vocal Carnatic Music

2002–2004 Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, India

2 Years Post Diploma

Main: Bharatanatyam 

Sub: Vocal Carnatic Music 

Major Performances:

• 2004 March - Art Festival, Kalakshetra, Chennai.  

- Dance Dramas composed by Rukmini Devi on     

  Ramayana 

  Choodamani Pradanam – as Pampasaras (means      

  swan, creepers, bees and lotus who dance in joy of    

  seeing Lord Rama in the Forest)

  Maha Pattabhishekam – as court-dancer in Ravana’s  

  court; as Kaikeyi

• 2004 February - Centenary Function of Rukmini Devi, New Delhi. With the presence of honorable Indian President along with other senior delegates from the cabinet ministry.  

- Dance Dramas composed by Rukmini Devi on

  Ramayana

  Paduka Pattabhishekam 

  Kannappar Kuravanji    

  Rukmini Kalyanam 

• 2003 October - Ananya Festival, New Delhi.

- Dance Drama composed by Krishnaveni Lakshman, Ex-

          Principal, Kalakshetra.  

         Bakta Jayadeva 

• 2003 June - Kanchipuram Temple, Chennai. 

- Dance Drama composed by Rukmini Devi.  

          Kurmavataram 

• 2003 February - Variety Programme, School of Army, Wellington, Ooty.

- Various Folk Dances of India 

• 2002 March - Kalakshetra Theatre, Chennai. 

- Bharatanatyam recital (One Margam) 

• Various recitals and lecture demonstrations about Bharatanatyam at kalakshetra theatre during the course of her studies.

Currently focusing on:

Composing different items in traditional Bharatanatyam style.