INDIAN CULTURAL CENTRE PARAMARIBO

Namrata Rai


Born in the picturesque valley of Dehradun, she received her training under the tutelage of Late Dr. Madhukar Anand, of Lucknow Gharana, in the age old Vedic system of receiving knowledge called Guru Shyshya Parampara.

She completed her bachelor’s degree from Bhatkhande, Lucknow and Master’s degree from Khairagarh University, M.P. in the elegant form of Lucknow Gharana, of which the Doyen is none other than Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj.

Namrta is an empanelled artist and teacher of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Namrta also participated at numerous dance competitions winning them all, like Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy, National Scholarship by Ministry of Human resources and development, Govt. of India, Madhurima Sangeet Samiti, Haridwar, Pratibha Khoj organized by D.A.V. Intermediate College, Dehradun, Bhatkhande Music College competition, Dehradun and Cultural department of Uttaranchal, Dehradun.etc.

Namrta is a recipient of Spic-Macay scholorship under which she had the honour and opportunity to learn from world renowned dance Maestro Pt. Birju Maharaj ji, also co organized by Nehru Center, Mumbai and Kalashram, Kolkata where she also performed for the third Kalashram Festival (Panch-Tatva) representing the outcome of the workshop by the Maestro (assisted by Ms. Saswati Sen).

Trained thus as a complete and versatile artiste, Namrta has developed her own style of solo presentations displaying the traditional techniques and spectacular innovations to this antique art. Her performances are marked by lively and imaginative inventiveness.

Today Namrta is achieving greater heights under the tutelage of Smt. Geetanjali Lal & Pandit Udai Mazumdar and is one of the most sought after amongst the young generation of Kathak dancers, in the country and abroad.

Namrta lives in Dehradun and is engaged in performing all over India including the Indian National Television and teaching private students. She also imparts her knowledge as the dance instructress at The Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun.