Padmaja Dharnipragada | Director

Padmaja Dharnipragada has been studying Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi nearly all of her life as the disciple of renowned masters Smt.Gidugu Visalakshi ,"Padmasree" Dr.Nataraja Ramakrishna,"Padmabhushans" Sri Raja and Radha Reddy, and Dr.Uma Rama Rao. 

Padmaja Dharnipragada commenced her artistic life at the age of six in Indian Classical Dance. She has been critically acclaimed by local and national press both in India and North America. Padmaja has many awards to her name including the title of “Outstanding Civic and Community Service in the Field of Arts” by the Telugu Association of North America. She has also been a keynote speaker for women entrepreneurs for several organizations and has received awards on Women’s Day for her service to the arts community from the American Telugu Association. 

Padmaja Dharnipragada founded Nrityalaya Dance Academy in 1992 when she first moved to Minnesota, USA. She was an avid performer in the Minnesota, Indian Community. A strong Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer from India, Padmaja always wanted to share her knowledge of the art form with her community. Hence, Nrityalaya Dance Academy (NDA) was born. Over the years, NDA has grown and developed into one of the premier dance schools in the Twin Cities Area. She strives to continue her passion for dance and develop wonderful dancers. 

 Apart from giving a strong foundation in classical dances, Padmaja also creates an awareness of Indian culture. As a part of this effort, she has developed classical dance dramas. Her work includes: Karthikeyan, Raani Puuvu, Mohini Bhasmasura, Radha Madhavan, Mahishasura Mardhini, and many more.  

Padmaja continues to be recognized for her contributions to arts, dance, and cultural/social activities in India and the United States of America. She has had several students successfully complete their Bharatyanatyam Arangetram (a two hour solo-performance). Many of her students are motivated to pursue Classical Dance throughout their lives.