About Us | Sree Bhadra Arts

About
Sree Bhadra Arts

Dedicated to Promoting Arts and Culture

We are dedicated to promoting arts and culture, focusing on drama, film, music, and other creative expressions in India. We organize events, support emerging artists, and encourage cultural exchange. We create and market artistic content, leveraging digital platforms to reach a global audience.

Our Vision

Sree Bhadra Arts Private Limited envisions a world where art transcends boundaries, bringing together cultures, traditions, and people. We strive to create a vibrant space for artistic expression, education, and appreciation.

Our Mission

To promote and preserve traditional and contemporary art forms.
To train and support emerging artists in various disciplines.
To organize performances, workshops, and cultural festivals.
To collaborate with educational institutions and cultural organizations globally.
To establish world-class infrastructure, including studios and cultural centers.

Smt. Gopika Varma

Founder & Artistic Director

Smt. Gopika Varma is a leading exponent and performing artist of Mohiniyattam for four decades. The ancient Travancore royal family has been famed down the age for its patronage of the fine arts. Smt. Gopika Varma is married into the Travancore royal family.

Smt. Gopika Varma started learning Mohiniyattam at the age of 10 from Smt. Girija and Smt. Chandrika Kurup, both senior students of Smt. Kalyani Kuttyamma, whose student she continued to be for 10 years. Later she specialized in the art from under the able guidance of Smt. Kalyani Kuttyamma herself and her daughter, Smt. Sreedevi Rajan. She was also fortunate to learn Abhinaya, which is the quintessence of Mohiniyattam, from Sri. Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, the doyen of the Kathakali sage. She has gleaned a wealth of knowledge and professional training in the "Sopana" style of performance, from Sri. Kavalam Narayana Panicker, a veteran in Indian theatrics.

Smt. Gopika Varma has performed extensively at various art festivals, sabhas and temples nationwide and internationally. Her Mohiniyattam is marked by extreme grace and fluidity of movement. Her abhinaya touches the soul and elevates the spectator to heights of bliss and sanctity.

“Dasyam Centre for Mohiniyattam” founded by Guru Gopika Varma at Chennai and Bangalore to nurture Mohiniyattam. Dasyam Centre holds the vision of taking this classical tradition outside the borders of Kerala, to ensure its sustained promotion, development and propagation, to award scholarships to genuine candidates, to provide Teachers Training program in Mohiniyattam, to offer medical help to artists and to provide basic facilities to all the performing and non-performing artists by conducting annual events and festivals.

Awards & Recognition

National Honors & Government Recognitions

Kalaimamani Award – First Mohiniyattam dancer to receive this honor from the Government of Tamil Nadu
Kalasree Award – Conferred by the Government of Kerala
ICCR Empaneled Artist – Recognized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations
Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy – Prestigious honor in performing arts

International Recognition

Outstanding Performance Award – House of Commons, London
Suryadatta National Award – Recognized for excellence in the arts and culture

Mohiniyattam Excellence & Dance Awards

Nritha Choodamani – Krishna Gana Sabha
Natya Kalasarathy – Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha
Natya Kala Bhushan – Satyanjali
Yuva Kala Bharathi Award – First Mohiniyattam dancer to receive this honor from Bharat Kalachar

Special Achievements and other Notable Awards

Peringottukara Devasthanam Lifetime Achievement Award 2024
Mahari Sanman 2023 – AdiGuru Pankaj Charan Odissi Foundation (First time for Mohiniyattam)
Inspirational Women Award 2022 – Brand Avatar
Kannagi Kalarathna 2022 – Nadam
Natya Kala Vipanchee Award
Aasthana Vidushi Award – Golden Temple Vellore
Pazhassi Raja Award – Received from then Vice-President of India, Sri Mohammad Hamid Ansari
VMRF Women of Excellence Award – Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation
14th Guru Debaprasad Award – Tridhara