Vidyalatha Jeerage

Bharata Natyam, the supreme art form which skillfully embodies the three primary ingredients of dance - Bhava, Raga, Thala - fascinated Vidya at a tender age.

 

In her early age of six, she demonstrated keen interest and dedication coupled with sincerity and innate talent. She had her Rangapravesham under Guru Smt. Manjula Paramesh (Director - Sapthaswara Arts and Creations) in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. With vigorous training under Guru Smt. Manjula Paramesh she completed her Vidwat in Bharatanatyam conducted by Karnataka Secondary Education Board. Further Vidyalatha continued her training under a renowned Guru Late Smt. Narmada, Disciple of Guru Kittapa Pillai(Tanjor, TamilNadu, India).

 

Vidya has also studied techniques in choreographing Indian Folk dances, Contemporary art form, basics of Kathak and Odissi art forms to enhance her choreography techniques. She has attended Karana workshop conducted by Guru Dr. Padma Subramanyam and Dance workshops from Guru Adyar Lakshman  and many more renowned Gurus. She has actively taken part in major dance productions directed by Guru Smt Manjula Paramesh, Padma Hemanth, Smt. Usha Venkateshwaran, Sathya Narayanaraju,  Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Kuchipudi exponent Sri Pasumarthy Venkateswara Sarma and worked with many more eminent Gurus in India and United States 

 

Vidyalatha has indeed blossomed into an accomplished dancer. As a Bharatnatyam soloist, she has performing all over India and also representing India in many other countries through ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations). She is a Doordarshan 'A' grade artiste and an empanelled artiste in Kendriya Sadan, Bangalore.

Blessed with natural flair for the art, and relentless single-minded devotion, she has developed into her present status as an elite performing artist. Her abilities were recognized very early on and have been the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, throughout her career.

 

She was a founder and director of Druva Performing Arts, a non-profit cultural organization in India and after relocating to United States, she established Smaran Performing Arts to promote and nurture the varied cultural art forms of India, which has presented numerous Dance Ballets and Bhartanatyam shows. She has also established Vidya Dance Academy to promote Bharatanatyam art form amoung the younger kids.

 

She conducts Smaran Dance Festival (www.smaran-arts.com)every year in California, which has created a platform for young dancers to showcase their talents and International Guest Artists. Smaran Dance Festival raise funds for local Non profit organizations in Bay Area.

 

• Raised Funds for Oakland Children's Hospital through a Dance Production in 2011

• Raised Funds for Arma Sei, Non Profit Organization through Smaran Dance Festival 2014

• Raised Funds for Arma Sei, Non Profit Organization through Smaran Dance Festival 2015

• Raised Funds for Arma Sei, Non Profit Organization through Smaran Dance Festival 2016

• Raised Funds for Roshini (Prajwala),Non Profit Organization through Smaran Dance Festival 2017

• Raised Funds for Sanatana Dharma Kendra Temple, CA through Dance production in 2017

• Raised Funds for Kannada Koota of Northern California through Smaran Dance Festival 2018

• Raised fund to Ramalaya, a Non Profit Organization, CA  through Smaran Dance Festival  2019 

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She is a recipient of numerous awards and recognition.

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Holding a Bachelors degree in engineering, it can only be the destiny that has brought her to the threshold of what will be a long, fulfilling and beautiful journey. Her focus will remain on presenting dance in its most traditional and authentic form. 

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