Rema Shrikant

 

Born in October 1956 at Mumbai to Malayalee dance couple, Guru Krishna Panicker and Gauri Panicker, she started her training at the age of three from her father. She obtained further training in Bharatanatyam under Guru Kittappa Pillai, Mohiniyattam under Smt. Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma and Kuchipud under Guru Acharyalu. After her marriage to Shri Srikant Nair, son of legendary Kathakali exponent, Padma Shri Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair, she joined in the faculty of performing arts, M. S. University, Vadodara. During her graduate and post graduate studies she was under the tutelage of Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar. She received the university Gold Medal, first rank and distinction for her excellence in studies. Her performances in India and abroad have been widely covered. A number of dance dramas, choreographed by her have been performed throughout the country.

She established the ‘Ellora Centre for Performing Arts’, school of classical Indian dances in Vadodara in 1976. She has trained thousands of students in Bharatanatyam and other classical forms.

She has received many honours and awards, including the Gujrat State Sangeet Akademi Award for the year 1999-2000.
 
   
 

 
     
 
"Smt. Rema Shrikant joined the faculty of performing Arts with a long period of training in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali and Kuchipudi studying them under well known Gurus. She was under my tutelage during the course of her graduate and post-graduate courses which she passed very creditably with top honours securing the Gold Medal and first positions. She is a very involved dancer who has a number of solo recitals to her credit. She has taken leading roles in the dance dramas choreographed by me. Her role of  Sita in "Bhoomija" had brought her laurels and appreciation from dance connoisseurs. Apart from being a beautiful dancer. she has proved to be a wonderful teacher. She has trained a number of disciples who have brought credit to her. The dance dramas choreographed and presented by her, show very creative ideas and spectacular group alignments. Her training in many of the classical forms gives her and added advantage in her choreographies". - Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar, Former Dean of Faculty of Performing Arts & Head Department Of Dance, M.S. University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
     
 
   
 
 



     
 
"With her extreme sincerity and her unique style one finds a true blend of the finer aspects of various schools and systems in her repertoire. Her performances are both visual delight and a satisfying experience to the connoisseurs as well as the commoner. Dance as a visual medium has found a true expression through Rema and Rema is a dancer par excellence"
- Valli Maragath, Indian Express

"For laymen, Rema Shrikant’s name may sound unfamiliar but those in the dance circuit rever and respect this reputed and highly creative and dedicated dancer-teacher. Director of Ellora Centre for Performing Arts, Baroda, and Shrikant is an exponent of both Bharata Natyam and Mohiniattam. She is equally at ease in Kuchipudi and Kathakali styles. This talented dancer adheres to the traditional classical form. Her performances is a treat to watch because it reveals a perfect blending of emotions and technically apt movements of hands, feet, eyes and eyebrows, an essential part of abhinaya. She is also a brilliant choreographer who has been highly acclaimed for her imaginative dance-ballets including Nritya Nivedanam, Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda, Andaal, Krishna Leela, Shree Ganesha, Skanda and Mayaa. Shrikant is lauded for her role as a model teacher. Over the years she has produced a number of talented disciples as well. At present she is in the city conducting a 10 day Bharata Natyam workshop for enthusiastic students" - The Telegraph - Metro- Culcutta.
 
   
 
 
   
     
 

"Running the Ellora Centre of Performing Arts (ECPA) since 1975, Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam exponent, Ms. Rema has dedicated her life to promoting dance" - Shyama Rajagopal, The Hindu, Kochi.



“She is a great teacher and her greatness lies in her dreams for others, her students.  She can inspire the most ordinary learners"- Bina Shirke, ex-student

 
   
 
 



 
" I take things as they come. I do not worry about the future nor do I brood over the past. I live in the present. I am as committed to my family as to my career. Classical dance is my passion, though anything artistic and beautiful seems to be a reflection of God to me. Dance is both yoga and sadhana of mind and body. So far as my attire goes, I like traditional, richly designed handloom sarees from various states" - Rema Shrikant in a interview to Express Newsline, Vadodara
 
 
     
   
 
 

 
 
 
     
   
 
  Award and Felicitations