
Smt. Seema Rao
Creative Director, GVRNKF Dallas
Seema is the senior-most disciple of G. V. Ramani Natya Kala Foundation or GVRNKF and has been associated with Guru Smt. Gayatri Subramanian since 1987. After presenting her Arangetram (maiden stage performance) in 1993, Seema continued her pursuit of the art form to explore further.
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Seema’s specialization has been in the field of “bhava” or “abhinaya” enabling her to portray any character, any emotion flawlessly. She has been a part of various dance productions of her academy like Kutrala Kuravanji, Andal Kalyanam, Krishna Leela, Panchakanya and Ramayanam.
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She began assisting her guru, teaching batches of students in the Academy and also started training students independently since 2000, few of whom continued their training to become accomplished dancers themselves.
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Seema has also been leading GVRNKF in organizing 2 festivals annually – UTSAV and Margazhi – for the past 10 years. She is well-versed with organizing, managing and executing both in person and online festivals. Artist coordination, end-to-end festival management, creative content, social media promotion, budgeting & expenses and communication, she has handled it all and continues to support with events for her and her teacher's school.
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Seema also has effortlessly compered for numerous dance performances in India & USA, given her knowledge of the subject and love for languages. She can incorporate English, Hindi, Marathi, Kannada & Tamil in her communication with the audience when behind the mic. She is a much sought after master of ceremonies in the dance circles in Dallas.
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Seema started the Dallas branch of GVRNKF in 2018 and loves sharing her knowledge of the art with young aspiring dancers and adults. She also co-chairs the Dallas Adavu club started in 2023 March, an initiative to bring together Natyam practitioners in the DFW Metroplex to encourage collaboration and sharing.
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She balances this with a flourishing career as a Program Manager, employed with Charles Schwab at Dallas.
Seema's Natyam journey
ABHYAASAA (Learning)
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Core training in Bharatanatyam from Guru Smt. Gayatri Subramanian from 1987 to date
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Currently pursuing Diploma in Nattuvangam under Dr. Guru Bharadwaj, Chennai,in nattuvangam (since 2019)
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Actor-training theatre workshop and training under Guru G. Venu, a Koodiyattam and Kathakali exponent
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Trained in aspects of Natyashastra under scholar Piyal Bhattacharya
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Learnt nuances of Bharatanatyam, Kummi, Kolattam and the basics of Nattuvangam from Guru Smt. Rajee Narayan
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Learned from Smt. Shobana Bhalchandra, Director of Bharata Kalanjali Chennai, extensively in various workshops
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Learned for a year under Smt. Leela Samson
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July 2024 - Ganesha Temple, Plano
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February 2024 - Solo offering at Thyagaraja Aradhana at Frisco
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November 2023 - Solo offering at Sri Oothakaadu Venkata Kavi Aradhana at DFW Hindu Temple
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November 2023 - Solo offering at the Dallas Dancers showcase by Charishnu Arts at Plano
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October 2023 - Opening group performance for Renjith-Vijana's performance, Dashavatara Alarippu
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December 2022 - National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai for the 10th year Margazhi Grand Finale (TenTenaTen)
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October 2022 - Diwali Festivities at McKinney Public Library
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Feb 2021 - Saptami 'Value the World' series
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June 2020 - 'Ahilya' for Utsav, an online festival hosted by G V Ramani Natya Kala Foundation, Mumbai
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May 2018 - 'Panchakanya' at Kala Ghoda festival, Mumbai
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November 2017 - Performed at Shanmukhananda Sangeeta Sabha in a dance ballet, 'Panchakanya - Mortal lives, immortal women' portraying the character of Ahalya & Rama.
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January 2017 - Performed at the Chennai Music and Dance Festival under the aegis of Indian Fine Arts
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December 2016 - Performed for the Margazhi festival by Takshashila Dance Academy at Vashi, Navi Mumbai for Panchakanya
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November 2015 - Bhakti, a fundraiser dance drama, as a part of PAMPA troupe at San Jose Center for Performing Arts, California
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2000 to 2010 - Various performances at Deloitte Consulting India & USA, Navi Mumbai Tamil Sangram, Mulund Fine Arts, Shivani Cultural Festival at Mysore Association Mumbai, Asthika Samaj
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