Smt Nirupama Rajendra and Sri T.D.Rajendra are India’s foremost husband & wife – classical dance couple coming from a family of educationists, artists and harikatha vidwans from Karnataka. The duo has been working in the field of dance for over thirty-four years as dancers performing Kathak as a couple. Uniquely Nirupama performs & teaches the two styles of Kathak & Bharathanrithyam. The duo has carved a niche for themselves in the world of classical dance as one of the most versatile and creative choreographers & producers of quality art.
As founders and artistic directors of Abhinava Dance Company, they have created over 200 original works. They have richly contributed to the world of dance and community through research and outreach projects. A noteworthy contribution is the research, development, and video documentation of 108 dance movements called the Deshi Marga Adavus. Under the guidance of Shathavadhani Dr R Ganesh they have revived an ancient traditional festival “Madanothsava” and brought the community together to rejoice the arrival of spring through day long celebrations of music, dance, poetry, drama, and art.
Commissioned by Murty Foundation Smt Sudha Murty Nirupama and Rajendra have worked in directing choreographing and video documentation of a 7th Century Sanskrit play –Bhagavadajjukam as per the guidelines given in Natyashastra.
The couple were conferred with “Akademi Puraskar” by the Sangeet Natak Akademi which is the highest recognition given to artists in the field of performing arts, and they received this award this year from The Honourable President of India. Nirupama-Rajendra are empanelled in the “Outstanding Category” artists of ICCR and hold “A TOP” grade in the Doordarshan. They are also recipients of the prestigious “Karnataka Kalashree” from Karnataka Sangeetha Nruthya Academy, Government of Karnataka, “Nrithya Choodamani” from Sri Krishnaganasabha Chennai. U.S.K Rao – Chandrabhaga Devi Dance Couple award from Attendance, “Kalaa Saarathi” Award from the Art of Living Foundation. Devi Awards from The New Indian Express, “Ananya Puraskara” by Ananya Institutions, Purandara Acharya Award by Indira Nagar Sangeet Sageet Sabha, “Narthaka 2025 Award “ by the Natyanjali Trust Chennai’s for Shri Rajendra, “Devi Award” by The Indian Express for Smt. Nirupama and “Fellow” of Vedic Wellness University (FWVU), Florida, USA
Smt.Nirupama has served as an honorary member of Karnataka Sangeeta Nruthya Academy, Govt of Karnataka. As a couple they recently convened the 42nd Natya Kala Conference Abhijaata conducted by Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai.
About Abhinava Dance Company
‘Abhinava Dance Company’ – a cutting-edge production house, was founded by SNA Awardees Smt. Nirupama Rajendra and Shri T. D. Rajendra in 1994. The company has crafted and presented more than 200 original choreographed works that have reached out to over 7.5 million connoisseurs in several countries across five continents.
About Abhinava Dance Academy
Affiliated with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Abhinava Dance School is a renowned institution for the international exchange of Indian classical dance. Under the guidance of acclaimed gurus Smt. Nirupama Rajendra and Shri T. D. Rajendra, the school has trained over 3,000 students in Kathak and Bharatanatyam over the past 35 years. Over 50 students have successfully graduated in both dance forms. Presently, the institute nurtures around 700 students, continuing its legacy of excellence in classical dance.