Smt. Prathibha Prahlad is a renowned and a pre-eminent Indian Classical dancer. In a career spanning 40 years, she has been a performer, choreographer, educator, author, arts administrator, and a pioneering curator of performing arts festivals.
Prathibhaji is one of the most famous dancers of India and is a respected Guru. As a celebrated Bharatanatyam dancer, she has performed in prestigious platforms in over 85 Countries and has given more than 3000 performances in India.
Her contribution to the arts field , however, goes much beyond her own trail-blazing dance career. Her work is guided by her commitment to being a cultural visionary who preserves, promotes and propagates the rich heritage of Indian performing arts. As the Founder Managing Trustee of Prasiddha Foundation & Forum For Art Beyond Borders, Prathibha Prahlad’s contribution to the arts is profound and unparalleled in contemporary dance history. Prathibhaji’s innovating effort in creating India’s signature arts festival -Delhi International Arts Festival has given a new momentum to expanding India’s cultural footprints globally. She is a frequent invitee to forums on culture internationally as a highly respected culture specialist.
Prathibha Prahlad is a recipient of the Padma Sri award for her contribution to the arts field. She is the youngest recipient of the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2001). She has also received the Karnataka State Government Award (2001), Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy Award- ‘Karnataka Kalasri’ (1997). Several private Organisations too have conferred honours on her.
The Dept. of Posts, Govt of India, released a ‘First Day Cover’ of the Delhi International Arts Festival in 2011, with DIAF’s mission statement and a cancelled stamp of the DIAF Logo. She also has the unique distinction of being the only dancer of her generation to be on an Indian Postal ‘My Stamp’ of Rs.5 /- released by the Indian Posts & Telegraphs Dept., as a special honour to her extraordinary work in the arts field.
Prathibha Prahlad had her early training in dance under Smt. & Prof .U.S Krishna Rao. Thereafter, she underwent rigorous training in Bharatanatyam under stalwarts like Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan and Guru V.S Muthuswamy Pillai and in Kuchipudi under Guru Dr. Vempatti Chinna Satyam.
She is the Artistic Director of Prasiddha Dance Repertory and is a star choreographer. Her multi-style productions ‘Rhythm & Harmony’, ‘Panchajanya -sights & sounds of India’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ have won her huge accolades. Smt. Prahlad has served extensively on several Government Committees on culture and worked for the propagation of Indian performing arts, both nationally & globally. She has had the distinction of being a member of jury for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and National Film Awards.
A post graduate degree in Mass Communications and an enviable experience in the performance, print and television media add to her distinction as an arts interlocutor. Prathibha writes articles in leading newspapers and is a frequent invitee to seminars and other academic activities nationally and internationally. She has produced, directed and acted in television serials. Prathibha Prahlad has also authored books on dance & other related subjects.