Christina Prakanthan
Christina Prakanthan is a distinguished dancer with an inherent talent for the arts, specializing in the classical tradition of Bharatanatyam. Having commenced her training at the early age of three, Christina's journey in dance reflects a profound commitment and unwavering passion. As the founder and director of Natyatharu School of Dance, based in Western Melbourne, Australia, she imparts her extensive knowledge and expertise to her students, who take immense pride in mastering the intricate nuances of Bharatanatyam under her guidance.
Christina began her foundational training in Bharathanatyam under the esteemed guidance of the Late Useni Hariram, a disciple of Dr. Padma Subramaniam, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She subsequently progressed under the tutelage of Smt. Anusha Tharmarajah and later refined her skills with Dr. Suryakala Jeevananthan. After years of rigorous training, Christina successfully completed her Arangetram in 2002 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. At the age of 13, she was honored with the prestigious title of 'Natya Visharadha' by the Bathkande Sangeeth Vidyapeet, Delhi. Christina pursued further specialization in movement arts at the Attakalari Centre for Movement Arts, concurrently obtaining her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Bangalore. She holds a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Bharathanatyam from the University of Madras. For several years, she has been under the mentorship of Kalaimamani Dr. Lakshmi Ramaswamy, a distinguished Fulbright fellowship recipient and renowned research scholar based in Chennai. Christina has consistently attended Dr. Lakshmi Ramaswamy's repertoire and abhinaya training sessions with dedication and diligence. Further enhancing her expertise, Christina successfully completed a Teacher Training Diploma in Bharathanatyam at Srimudralaya, Chennai, under the guidance of Dr. Lakshmi Ramaswamy. Additionally, she has undergone advanced training in the Koodiyattam actor's training system, known as Navarasa Sadhana (Phase 4), developed by the acclaimed Guru G. Venu.
Christina serves as a respected community leader within the Melton Council in Victoria and actively contributes her time as a volunteer at the local Tamil school, supporting cultural and community initiatives in Melbourne. She held the esteemed position of inaugural President of the Bharathanatyam Acharya Association of Victoria, Australia, for a tenure of five years, where she played a pivotal role in establishing and promoting Bharathanatyam graded examinations in Victoria. In recognition of her dedication and contributions, she was honored with the title of ‘Nava Mouthika’ by her esteemed Guru, Dr. Lakshmi Ramaswamy, in Chennai.
Experience the art of Bharathanatyam
Discover the beauty and tradition of Bharathanatyam with Christina Prakanthan at Natyatharu School of Dance. Contact us to learn more about our classes and how you can begin your journey into this classical dance form.