Smitha Rajan

Smitha Rajan

Smitha Rajan (born 1969), daughter of Guru Sreedevi Rajan (Mohiniyattam performer and teacher) and Late T. R. Rajappan, is a veteran Mohiniyattam performer and granddaughter of the legendary couple of Indian Classical Dance form, Late Padmasree Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair and Late Kalamandalam Kallyanikutty Amma.

Profile

Smitha Rajan started her training in dance at her maternal grandparent’s residence in Tripunithura. Blessed with the perfect ambiance of dance and music, for young Smitha, learning dance was something that was as natural as learning to speak in her mother tongue. Smitha’s aunt Guru Kala Vijayan (recipient of the Sangeeth Natak Academy Award for Mohiniyattam) was the first person to watch the genuine talent in young Smitha. During a master class at her grand parent’s institution, Kerala Kalalayam in Tripunithura, her aunt saw little Smitha performing a full Cholkettu (the first item in a typical Mohiniyattam repertoire) along with the senior students. From then Guru Kala Vijayan started training her in Bharatanatyam and Smitha did her Arangetram in Bharatanatyam at the age of 4. Her mother, Guru Sreedevi Rajan, a renowned dancer and teacher, taught Smitha her first lessons in Mohiniyattam and Smitha performed her Arangetram in Mohiniyattam at the age of 6. She later mastered in Mohiniyattam from her legendary grand mother too. Her grand father Guru Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair taught her Kathakali and fine tuned her Mukhajabhinaya (facial expressions). Smitha has also undergone training in Classical Carnatic Music under Professor Kalyanasundaram for over 8 years. At Kerala Kalalayam she was trained in Kuchupudi as well for 5 yrs. She had the unique blessings to start teaching these styles at the parent institution Kerala Kalalayam from 1983 at the tender age of 14 which she continued till 1990. She turned professional dancer at the age of 12 and had accompanied her grand mother, her mother and her aunt all over India and abroad to numerous venues during the pursuit of popularizing Mohiniyattam in 1980. She was the leading performer of Kerala Kalalayam from 1979 to 1992. This has given her a very strong underpinning and confidence in handling this dance style with great ease and versatility. She has assisted her mother, grandmother and her aunt in teaching Mohiniyattam to a number of today’s Mohiniyattam performers. She carried the complete essence of her grandmother’s teachings and is considered the Flagship student and performer of the Mohiniyattam which, Guru Kalamandalam Kallyanikutty Amma had learned from Kalamandalam and enhanced and popularized. Today Smitha lives in St. Louis, MO, USA along with her family and is running the institution Nrithyakshetra “Temple of Dance” as a branch of the institution her mother Guru Sreedevi Rajn had started at Kochi, Kerala in association with the mother institution Kerala Kalalayam.

Honors

2009- Honored by OHMKARAM, Greater St. Louis, USA

2005- Awarded the title Kalaratna “Vallathol Puraskar” by KALADARPANAM, Kerala

2005- Dance Omi International Dance Collective Residency, New York, USA

2002- Recognized as Ambassador for Global Peace through Art and Culture by Indian Junior Chamber of Commerce

2002- Honored by SPIC-MACAY, Kochi Chapter

1997&1994- Recognized as the Best Mohiniyattam Dancer of the year by NANA, for her Indian National Television Network (Doordarshan)performance

1993- Recognized as "Artist of the Year" by "THE HINDU", India's National Newspapers, for her performance in SOORYA Music and Dance Festival

1990- Upgraded as A+ Grade Artist of National Television Network (Doordarshan)

1989- Acknowledged by SPIC-MACAY and was included into their panel of performers

1989- Acknowledged by Kendra Sangeeth Natak Academy and was inducted into their panel of performers

1987- "A grade artist" of Doordatrsan(Youngest A Grade Artist)

1985- Achieved National Scholarship from Kendra Sangeeth Natak Academy, New Delhi, Govt. of India

1985- Acknowledged by Doordarshan, National Television Network in India and was included into their panel of performing artists

Few of her Performances sequentially

2009

Swaralaya Palakkadu, Kerala, INDIA

Chicago Tyagaraja Utsavam, USA

2009 Nrityotsav- Indian Classical Dance Festival,Omaha, NE, USA

2009 SIUE India Night, IL USA (Jan 12)-Brahma Gana Sabha, Chennai, INDIA

Doordarsan South Zone Program of Dance, TVM, INDIA

2008

(Dec 15)-Kalyana Krishna Music and Dance Festival, KOCHI, INDIA

Doordarsan National Program of Dance, New Delhi, INDIA

Sri Vikom Mahadeva Temple Festival, Vikom, Kerala

SOORYA – Ramayanam Festival, TVM, INDIA

MUDRA Festival, Dept of Culture, Govt of Kerala

Navrathri Festival, TDM Hall, Kochi, INDIA

Kaladarpanam" Art and Cultural movement of India, Kottayam, Kerala

2008 -India Night Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, IL USA

2007

Dec 23rd)"NATYAVEDA" Mohini Festival, TVM, INDIA

(Dec 7th)-Kalyana Krishna Dance and Music Festival,Kochi, INDIA

(Oct 30)-SOORYA Mohiniyattam Festival, TVM, INDIA

Navrathri Festival, TDM Hall, Kochi, INDIA

(July 7th)-Lumbini Arts Society, OTTAVA, CANADA

(April 6th)-Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana, 30th Anniversary of Aradhana Festival, Ohio, USA

2006

(Dec 4)-Kalyana Krishna Music and Dance Festival, KOCHI, INDIA

(Nov26)-Changampuzha Samaskarika Kendra Nrityolsav 2006, INDA

(Oct 29)-SOORYA Mohiniyattam Festival, TVM, INDIA

(Sept 29)-Navrathri Festival, Kochi, INDIA

2005

Hindu Society of Central Florida (Orlando, Florida, USA)

Nataraja aradhana, Hindu Temple, Along with students (St. Louis, USA)

2004

Tamil Association of Memphis, TN, (USA)

Poothana Moksha Kathakali (Poornathrayeesha Temple, Kerala, INDIA)

National telecast (Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi)

South Zone Telecast, (Doordarshan, Thiruvananthapuram or TVM)

(Jan & April) KARUNA, A dance drama based on the poem by Mahakavi Kumaranasan, Produced by Doordarshan (National Television of India)

2003

South Zone Telecast, (Doordarshan, TVM)

(Jan, March, May, August, September, Oct. Nov & Dec, Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM)

(September) Saint Louis, ISKCON (USA)

(July August) Jugalbandhi, with Bharatanatyam performer Indira Kadambi and musician TV Ram Prasad

ASHA Charitable Organization (USA)

Indian Association (Tokyo, JAPAN)

2002

Urbana Champagne (University of Illinois, USA)

SOORYA Music and Dance Festival Sliver Jubilee Celebrations (TVM, INDIA)

Tribute to Masters (Kochi, India)

Navrathri Celebrations, Karayogam, (Eranakulam, Kerala, INDIA)

FOKANA Welcome Show 2002 (Chicago, USA)

“ABHINAYA” Ecstasy through expressions (Saint Louis, USA)

South Zone Telecast, (Doordarshan, TVM, INDIA)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM, INDIA)

ASHA Charitable Organization (USA)

2001

Missouri Historical Society (Saint Louis, USA)

South Zone Telecast, (Doordarshan, TVM)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM)

Swathi Music and Dance festival Kerala Fine Arts Society (Kochi, Kerala, INDIA)

India Night (Southern Illinois University, USA)

ASHA Charitable Organization (USA)

Navrathri Celebrations (Hindu Temple St. Louis, USA)

2000

Cultural Association of South India, Deepavali Celebration (St. Louis, USA)

National Telecast (Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM)

Malayalee Association (Abu Dhabi, UAE)

Indian Association (Dubai, UAE)

1999

Europe Tour (London, Spain & Poland)

Malayalee Association, Onam Celebration (St. Louis, USA)

1998

National telecast (Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi, INDIA)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM)

Sur Singar Samsad Kal Ki Kalakar Sangeeth Sammelan (Bombay, INDIA)

Ustad Allawudin Khan Sangeeth Academy (Bhopal, INDIA)

1997/98

Nishagandhi Festival (Trivandrum, INDIA)

1997

(Oct) in esteemed presence of Queen Elizabeth II (On her visit to Kochi, at Taj Malabar)

National telecast (Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi, INDIA)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM, INDIA)

Sri Krishna Temple, Chelamattom, Kerala, INDIA

1996

National telecast (Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi, INDIA)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM, INDIA)

Sri Shankara School of Dance (Kalady, Kerala, INDIA)

1995

Centenary Celebration, Bar Association (Vaikom, Kerala, INDIA)

Fine arts Society (Vaikom, Kerala, INDIA)

National telecast (Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi, INDIA)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM, INDIA)

Thendral Thiruvizha (Madras, INDIA)

1994

National telecast (Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi, INDIA)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM, INDIA)

1993

Jugalbandhi (with another classical dance form, Bharatanatyam), at Jagan mohan Palace auditorium, Mysore, INDIA and at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore INDIA

SOORYA Music and Dance Festival (Trivandrum, INDIA)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM, INDIA)

NCPA (National Center for Performing Arts, Bombay, INDIA)

(May 26th) Nrityotsava (A Festival Of Dance organized by Sangeeth Natak Academy, Delhi & Dep’t. Of Culture, Kerala at Tagore Theater, Tiruruvananthapuram

1992

Nishagandhi Festival (Trivandrum, INDIA)

Natyakala 1992, at ALNASAR Leisureland, Nashwan Hall, UAE

Oct. Gulf tour, (Malayalee Assoc. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, UAE)

Feb- German tour for one month. (Stuttgart, Munich, Frankfurt, GERMANY)

(19th- July) National telecast (Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi, INDIA)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM, INDIA)

Palani Pankunni (Palani, Tamilnadu, INDIA) (leading her disciples at Nrityagram)

Allaiance Françoise Festival, Pondichery, INDIA, (leading her disciples at Nrityagram)

Chowdiah Memorial Hall Bangalore, INDIA (leading her disciples at Nrityagram)

Vasantha Habba (Nrityagram, Bangalore, INDIA)

1991

Calicut University (Kozhikode, Kerala, INDIA)

Keli, Kottayam, Kerala, INDIA

Krishna Gana Sabha (Madras, INDIA)

"Vasantha Habba" (Nrityagram, Bangalore, INDIA)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM)

1990

ICCR (Kamayini Auditorium, New Delhi)- TRIVENI SANGAMAM- 3 generations on stage (Mohiniyattam Along with her Grand Mother, Mother, Aunt and Sister)

Sangeetha College (Palakkadu, Kerala, INDIA)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM)

India International Center (New Delhi)

1989

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM)

Natyakala Shilpam, Kerala Fine Arts, Ekm, INDIA

Kathakali performance with legendary Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair Shri Poornathrayeesha temple, Tripunithura, Kerala

Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy, Kerala

1988

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM)

1987

Performed 2 Ashtapadis in the Ashtapadi series telecasted by Doordarshan TVM, directed by Dr. Joseph Chazikaadan

National Telecast (Doordarshan, New Deihi)

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM)

Department of Tourism, Kochi, INDIA

1986

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM)

Kerala Kalamandalam (Cheruthuruthy, Kerala)

1985

Regional Telecast (Doordarshan, TVM)

Tata Tea, Moonnar, Kerala

Nishagandhi Festival (TVM)

1984

(Jan) Esteemed presence of the Members of the Indian Parliament (Rajyasabha)

CBSE School Dance Competitions (First place for Mohiniyattam & Bharatanatyam)

1983

Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy, Kerala, FACT Aluva and many stages

1982/83

CBSE School Dance Competitions (Won first place for Mohiniyattam & Bharatanatyam on both years)

1981

Mahatma Gandhi University (Kottayam, Kerala, INDIA)

1981

Akashavani Radio Broadcasting Annual Celebration (Town Hall, Trishur, Kerala, INDIA)

1981

CBSE School Dance Competitions (First place for Mohiniyattam & Bharatanatyam)

1979 to 1993

Lead dancer for Kerala Kalalayam performances- temple festivals and many cultural organizations through out India

1975

Arangetram in Mohiniyattam

1974

Arangetram (First stage) at the age of 5 in Bharatanatyam.

Lectures and demonstrations and teaching experiences

1998..Present Runs and manages NRITYAKSHETRA St Louis Chapter in USA

1994..1997 Mohiniyattam teacher at Kerala Kalalayam, Tripunithura

1991..1993 Mohiniyattam teacher at Nrithyagram, Dance Village, Bangalore, INDIA

1993 Lecture Demo SOORYA Trivandrum, INDIA

1989..1990 Lecture Demo SPIC MACAY, New Delhi, INDIA

1983..1990 Mohiniyattam teacher at Kerala Kalalayam, Tripunithura

1981..1987 Many Lecture Demo, on behalf of SPIC MACAY New Delhi,(touring most part of south and north India), Arangu Kottayam, Kerala fine Arts Society Kochi, Noopuram Fine arts school Kannur and many dance institutions (assisting Late Kalamandalam Kalyanikkuttyamma & Guru Sreedevi Rajan)

1979..1992 Leading dancer for Kerala Kalalayam, Tripunithura, by performing for the institution, in most part of India

1991 Lecture Demo, together with Late Kalamandalam Kalyanikkuttyamma, and Smt. Sreedevi Rajan, at Krishna Gana Sabha (Madras)

1990 Lecture Demo ICCR, New Delhi, INDIA

1989 Lecture Demo SPIC MACAY, Rajasthan, INDIA

1989 Documentary Film on Mohiniyattam by Kalamandalam Kalyanikkuttyamma by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts or IGNCA