Dr Neena has a brilliant academic background, and continues her research pursuits along with her performances and teaching responsibilities. She pursued a rigourous regimen of dance education, achieving proficiency in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam and Kathakali. After her MA in English Literature, she was awarded PhD from Rabindra Bharati University, Calcutta, for her thesis on "The concepts of Lasya and Tandava in the classical dances of South India-A detailed Study". She was also awarded a post doctoral Research Fellowship from the AHRB Research Centre for Cross Cultural Music and Dance Performance, University of Surrey.

Professional Training

Dr Neena was a disciple of leading Gurus:

• Mohiniyattam - Kalamandalam Sugandhi – 8years
• Kalamandalam Kshemavathy – 3years
• Bharatanatyam - Padmashri Adyar K. Lakshman – 11years
• Kuchipudi - Padmabhushan Vempatti China Satyam –12years
• Kathakali - Vembayam Appukuttan Pillai – 10years

PhD Summary

"The concepts of Lasya and Tandava in the classical dances of South India : A detailed Study" is an in-depth examination of the various manifestation of lasya and tandava, the two fundamental and philosophical modes common to all classical dance forms in India. The study explored, how these twin concepts are aesthetically differentiated and synthesized in the South Indian dance such as Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi and Kathakali. The work looks at the concepts from the classical canons of Indian aesthetics beginning from Bharatha and other leading exponents of the Sound theory of the nine sentiments, or the Doctrine of Rasa.

Post Doctoral Fellowship

Dr Neena was awarded a Research Fellowship from the AHRB Research Centre for Cross Cultural Music and Dance Performance, University of Surrey. UK. She worked on the theme: Post Colonial Identity Construction: The study explores the evolution of the protagonist, or ‘Nayika’ from the colonial period, to its present form in the post colonial context.

Research Fellowships

Awarded by Department of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Culture, Government of India

• Junior Fellowship for Research in Mohiniyattam – 2 years
• Senior Scholarship, Bharatanatyam –2 years
• Senior Scholarship, Mohiniyattam - 2 years

Papers Presented

• “Changambuzha- Beyond Poetry”, Kendra Sahitya Akademi
• Tandava in Mohiniyattam – Samavesh & Aseema Trust Chennai
• Diaspora and Indian Performing Arts for UGC – SAP, Institute of English, Center for Canadian Studies, University of Kerala
• Are Classical Dance Forms on the Decline? – A Traditionalist's View (Paper presented for Guru Gopinath Natana Kala Gramam, A National Seminar)
• The Nayikas of Swati Thirunal, for Sangeetha Bharathi
• Art and Society, Annual Gathering of Artistes, Kaladarpanam
• Dance, Music and Literature-their mutual relationship with Painting and other Plastic Arts –An Interdisciplinary Approach, Kalagramam
• Music, Dance and Literature-Comparative Literature Society
• Mohiniyattam - Kerala Calling, Regular Journal of Public Relations Department, Kerala
• Frequent writer in several contemporary Journals and Research publications
• Art and Society, Annual Gathering of Artistes, Kaladarpana
• Dance, Music and Literature-their mutual relationship with Painting and other Plastic Arts –An Interdisciplinary Approach, Kalagramam
• Music, Dance and Literature-Comparative Literature Society
• Mohiniyattam - Kerala Calling, Thiruvananthapuram

Professional Memberships

• Member of the Governing Council of Kerala Kalamandalam (Apex Center of Kerala Dance and Theatre) (2005)
• Member of Jury, Appellate Committee, Kerala State Youth Festival
• Nominated to the Senate, Kerala University
• Member of Jury, Swaralaya Annual Award Committee,2003

Additional Professional Activities

Member, Expert Committee and Governing Body, constituted by

• Government of Kerala for converting Kerala Kalamandalam to a Deemed University
• Expert in Jury Committee, for awarding research scholarships and fellowships (Department of Culture, Government of India)
• Member, Board of Visual Arts, University of Kerala
• Chairperson, Board of Examination PG and Degree, Mohiniyattam, M.G.University
• Guest Faculty for Art and Culture, Kerala Institute for Travel and Tourism Studies, Thiruvananthapuram
• Faculty for Performing Arts, International Centre for Kerala Studies, University of Kerala

Contact

ph: 0471 2300320, 2576610