Rajashree Warrier

Rajashree Warrier is a Bharata Natyam dancer, educator and media person. She is also a writer in Malayalam and a vocalist. She holds a PhD in Music for her research in Varnas in Dual Forms (Tana Varnas and Pada Varnas) She is the founder director of ‘UTTARIKA, Centre for Performing Arts’, focusing on research and training in Bharata Natyam, carnatic music and experimental theatre. She is the Executive Member for Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy since April 2016.

Early life and education

Rajasree Warrier was born and brought up in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. She learned Bharathanatyam under the tutelage of Guru V Mythili and Guru Jayanthi Subramaiam. She got trained in carnatic music under Mullamudu Harihara Iyer, Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath, Parassala Ponnammal and B. Sasikumar. Warrier also holds a post graduate diploma in journalism.

Personal life

Rajashree is married to Anil S Nair. Rajashree has a daughter Lavanya.

Career

Bharatanatyam dancing

Warrier has given performances at many major venues in India and abroad. Her dance productions hold testimony to her in depth knowledge and creative abilities.

Media

Warrier is a household name in Kerala after anchoring the popular breakfast show Suprabhatham on Asianet continuously for four years. She has also anchored, scripted and produced several programmes on DD Kerala, Amrita TV and Asianet.

Publications

Warrier has written two books, Narthaki published by DC Books in 2013 and Nruthakala published by Chintha Publications in 2011.

Productions

Lankalaksmi – Adaptation of Malayalam play by C N Sreekantan Nair.
Neela Varnam – Eight compositions of Lord Kirshna in Bharatanatyam. Vocal, Choreography and presentation.
Ashtaiswaryam elaborates the eight ‘qualities’ that can be -achieved through deep meditation and is associated with the life of Lord Krishna.
Ashtapatni is based on the concept of Ashtau vallabha as depicted in Bhagavatam Dasama Scandam Uttarardham.
Transforming lives : Based on the trilogy Fire, Water and Earth.
Swathi Smrithi, a margam on the compositions of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma.
Raas – An excerpt from Narayaneeyam.
Madhavam is about Madhavan or Lord Vishnu, the preserver among the trinity. It tries to detail the celebration of life in its distinctive modes of evolution.
Shades of Love: A thematic production on the romantic sojourn of a woman (nayika or heroine).
Bharatanatyam production based on the musical compositions of Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna.
Bharatanatyam production based on the rare padams of Irayimman Thampi.
Bharatanatyam production based on Ravanakruta Shivatandava Stotram.
Mira: Theatrical production on the story of Meera (Mirabai).

Awards and honours

• Dev dasi National Award for Bharatanatyam 2014 for outstanding creative contributions. Presented by Dev Dasi Nruthya Mandira, Bhuvaneswar.
• Kalasree Title and Kerala Sangita Nataka Academy award 2013 for Bharatanatyam.
• VS Sharma Endowment Award from Kerala Kalamandalam for the contributions in the field of Bharatanatyam, 2013.
• Invited as Jury of ‘Books and Articles’ in Kerala State Film Award 2014.
• Kalaratna Puraskar given by Vayalar Samskaarika Samithi
• Mahila Tilak Title and Award for the contributions in Indian Classical Dance conferred by Social welfare department, Government of Kerala,2012.
• Indian Council for Cultural Relations – Empanelled Bharatanatyam Artist.
• Sai Natya Ratna conferred by Satya Sai Seva Organisation, 2010.
• ‘Natana Shiromani’ Award conferred by Chilanka Dance Academy, 2009.
• Recipient of Navarasam Sangeeta Sabha Award for Bharatanatyam, 2007.

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube