Multidisciplinary dance scholar, educator, and researcher with expertise in performance studies, creative pedagogy, and movement-based healing. Experienced in developing cross-cultural curricula integrating traditional wisdom with contemporary education frameworks. Dedicated to fostering creative inquiry, embodied learning, and intercultural understanding.
Learning Log
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PhD in Dance, University of Hyderabad — July 2013 – Oct 2019.
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UGC-NET & JRF (Dance) — Qualified, 2015.
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Master's Degree in Performing Arts (M.P.A.) — Kuchipudi, University of Hyderabad — 2010 – April 2012. First rank & Gold Medalist (Nataraja Ramakrishna - Sarada Devi Gold Medal).
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Bachelor's Degree in Performing Arts (Dance), Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed to be University for Art and Culture — June 2007 – March 2009.
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Completed eight years’ intensive Gurukula training and received the title ‘Kalamandalam’.
Expertise in
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A specialist in Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and other traditional–contemporary forms, I integrate movement, culture, and embodied practice with a design-oriented approach to creativity, process, and research. With expertise in Yoga, Dance Meditation, Dance Pedagogy, and somatic methodologies, I bring strengths in experience design, narrative design, embodied cognition, and creative process development. My academic and professional background spans textual tradition, Vedic literature, kinesthetics, dance psychology, dance anthropology, performance theory, aesthetics, performance-as-research, practice-based research, and neurocognitive studies, all framed through an interdisciplinary design-thinking lens. I am passionate about teaching concept-driven subjects such as Philosophy of Performance, Performance Studies, and Education, adapting seamlessly to diverse global curricula and contributing to innovative and culturally grounded design practice.
Work Experience
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Founder Director (2019–Ongoing), Padma Foundation and Padma Knowledgeverse – Website: padmafoundation.in
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Natya Healing Practitioner & Curriculum Designer (May 2025–Present), Nirvana Life Path, Kakkanad
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Assistant Professor & Director of Indian Knowledge Systems (May 2024–June 2025), Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous)
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Textbook Committee Member, SCERT – Art Education for Standards 8, 9, and 10 (2024–25)
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PhD Guide (Empanelled) – Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University for Art and Culture (2024)
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Post Doctoral Fellow (2023–2024), Chief Minister’s NavaKerala Post Doctoral Fellow, Kerala State Higher Education Council
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Peer Reviewer (2025 onwards), TDPT Journal, Taylor & Francis and Routledge
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Senior Lecturer (2020–2023), Head of Performing Arts and UWS Faculty for Research in Creative Practice, ISCA, Jain Deemed-to-be-University, Kochi
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Teaching Assistant (2017–2018), Art Theory and Aesthetics, Sarojini Naidu School of Performing Arts and Communication
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Academic Consultant (2019–Present), Module & Curriculum Preparation, Thesis Proofreading, Research Assistance
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Freelance Teaching (2009–Present), Teaching dance theory & practice to groups and individuals
Research Experience
My research explores how embodied performance, heritage knowledge systems, and creative pedagogies can inform experience design, cultural design, and community-centered learning models, using classical Indian dance traditions as a framework for designing innovative, equitable, and culturally grounded creative practices.
Embodied Heritage & Performance Design
Performance art is examined as a living heritage system that informs contemporary experience design and cultural creativity.
Creative Pedagogy & Community-Centred Learning
Creative, embodied, and community-rooted pedagogical models are developed to integrate traditional knowledge into modern curricula.
Guru Traditions, Cultural Systems & Knowledge Design
Evolving guru–shishya traditions are analyzed to create culturally responsive frameworks for creative practice and knowledge design.
Alternate – 2026 Rotary Peace Fellowship (Selected as an alternate for the prestigious 2026 Rotary Peace Fellowship)
Publications
Peer Reviewed Papers
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“Touch, Spatiality and Balance: Exploring the Coalition of Movement and Freedom in a Kuchipudi/Traditional Body” — Sastra, Journal of the University of Silicon Andhra, Vol. 3, 2021.
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“Decoding the Circular Symbols and Motives of Different Shades of Kali (Folk-Cultural Games/Performances) of Kerala: A Critical Scrutiny” — Selected for the upcoming Routledge publication Handbook of the History of Communication in India, edited by Roshni Sengupta & Chandni Sengupta.
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“From ‘Guru-mukha’ to Contemporaneity: Metamorphosing Divergent Trajectories of Mohiniyattam Pedagogy and Performativity” — Theatre, Dance and Performance Training (Special Issue: July 2021), Routledge (Peer-reviewed).
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“The Status of Dance Education (Indian Classical Dance Studies) in Indian Academia Today: A Study” — Research and Pedagogic.
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“Dance Pedagogy in the Digital Age: Changing Contours of Tradition” — International peer-reviewed journal, July 2018 edition.
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Research article published in the journal released during the International Seminar on Dance, Music and Media (6–7 February 2018), Department of Music, Annamalai University, Chidambaram. (UGC Approved)
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“Analyzing the Right-Side Brain: A Dancer’s Perspective” — Dance Journal of Telugu University, March 2017. (UGC Approved)
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“Vempatti Chinna Satyam — Kuchipudi/yude Porulum Chaithanyavum” — KELI, official journal of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Feb–March 2013.
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“Chau Nrithangal” — Vinjana Kairali, official journal of Kerala Bhasha Institute, Vol. 44. (UGC Approved)
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“A Monumental Studies on Indian Art” — The Malayalam Literary Survey, English quarterly journal of Kerala Sahithya Akademi, June 2013. (UGC Approved)
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“Swathi Thirunal — Vaggeyakalavude Sarga Vaibhavam” — Sahithya Lokam, Malayalam bi-monthly journal of Kerala Sahithya Akademi, October 2013. (UGC Approved)
Books
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Mohiniyattam: Pedagogy and Performativity — Published by Ivory Books, Thrissur (2021). ISBN: 978-81-950429-9-2.
Listed as a reference book at M.G. University and Kerala Kalamandalam for B.A. Performing Arts (Hons). -
Kuchipudi/yude Soundarya Sastram — Published by Sadbhavana Publications, Trivandrum (2021). ISBN: 978-81-951334-1-3.
Listed as a reference book at Kerala Kalamandalam for B.A. (Hons). -
Dancethesis: An Amalgam of Dance-perspectives — Published by Sadbhavana Publications, Trivandrum (2021). ISBN: 978-81-951334-0-6.
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Two additional books related to Performing Arts — Currently in print.
Book Chapters
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“Indian Nrithamandalathil Tagorean Nayikamarude Swadeenam” (Malayalam) — Published in Anthology of Performing Art (2020), Nrithyasree Foundation, Palakkad.
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“Cults in Mohiniyattam: A Critical Analysis of the Methodology of Pedagogical Shaping and Re-shaping” — Published in the Mohiniyattam Anthology (2021), edited by Dr. Kavya Krishna and Dr. Mythili Anoop, Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.
Conference Presentations
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"Status of Dance Education in Indian Academia Today: A Stud" Presented at the National Seminar on Exploration of Theory and Praxis with Special Attention on Bharathanatyam and Mohiniyattam Performances,Dept. of Dance, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady20–22 February 2019
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"Dance Pedagogy in the Digital Age: Changing Contours of Tradition"Presented at the International Seminar on Dance, Music and Media,Dept. of Music, Annamalai University, Chidambaram6–7 February 2018
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"Tagorian Nayikas in Indian Dance Scenario"Presented at the UGC Sponsored National Seminar on Performing Arts,Dept. of Malayalam, Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur
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Media AppearanceTalk on World Dance DayBroadcasted on All India Radio, ThrissurAired on 29 April 2013 (Recorded on 26 April 2013)
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Media Appearance
Conversation on Padma Foundation’s Mission
Broadcasted on Radio Nellikka – Kerala Child Protection Rights
[Insert Broadcast Date]
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“From ‘Text’ to ‘Body’: Translating Words into Codified Gestures” — Presented at the International Conference and Seminar on Text and Performance Making, University of Calicut, School of Drama, Thrissur, 3–5 January 2019.
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“A Classical Onslaught of Non-Classical Values: Transforming the Un-Aryanized to Aryanized — A Brief Study on the Vanished Tradition of Thiruvathirakali” — Presented at the 26th All India Conference of FOSSILS & National Seminar on Folklore, University of Calicut, 15–17 February 2019.
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“The Usage of Traditional Art Forms in Pedagogy, Practice and Performance of Contemporary Theatre” — Presented at the International Seminar on Creating the Text of Theatre in Contemporary Drama, Dept. of Malayalam, Central University of Kerala, Periya, 6–8 February 2019.
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“Cultural Values and Visual Media: A Peer Look at the Unsympathetic Attitude of Advertisements Toward Traditional Performing Arts” — Presented at the National Seminar on Histories of Media and Performance: The Political, The Cultural, and The Deep Pasts, Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication, University of Hyderabad, 14–15 March 2019.
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“Different Facets of Dance Behaviour: An Analysis” — Presented at the International Conference on Mixed Methods Research (ICMMR-2019), School of Behavioral Science, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, 23–24 February 2019.
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“A Performative Perusal on the Emotive Scapes of Select Love Poems of Three Continents” — Presented at the International Theatre Conference: New Narratives—Performing Arts, Film and Fine Arts, 10–12 March 2022.
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“Multimodal Renderings of Tribal Songs: Politics and Polemics of Popular Culture” — Presented at the National Research Webinar: Different Dimensions of Music, Instrumental and Dance, 27 February 2022.
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“Revisiting the Wisdom of Nature through the Practice and Praxis of Tiruvathira” — Presented at the Indian Anthropology Congress 2022, University of Hyderabad & INCAA, 21–23 February 2022.
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“Expression and Emotion: Exploration through the Shades of Love in Cavafy, Neruda and Sam Shepard” — Presented at the International Conference on Love: SICON, KSHEC & St. Teresa’s Autonomous College, Ernakulam, 11–13 January 2022.
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“Folk Roots and Creative Dynamism in Mohiniyattam Performance” — Presented at the National Seminar: Thiruthali—Folklore, Text and Performance, School of Letters & Folklore Academy, 24–25 November 2021.
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“Epistemology of Mohiniyattam Movement Concepts: A Brief Analysis” — Presented at the International Conference, School of Drama, Calicut University, Thrissur, 13–15 January 2020.
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“Acting and Cognition in the Realms of Movements in Kuchipudi Dance” — Presented at the International Conference, School of Drama, Calicut University, Thrissur, 13–15 January 2020.
Lectures Workshops Mentorships
2025
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Resource Person – Indian Knowledge SystemsJawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Pathanamthitta, Kerala (13–15 Oct 2025)Sessions on Philosophy, Astronomy, and Ayurveda.
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Certificate of Appreciation by Centre for Folklore Studies and Research (CFSR).Two-Month Mentorship Program – PhD in Folklore StudiesCentre for Folklore Studies and Research, 18 Oct 2025 Shared insights on Case Study Analysis: Multi-Method Research in Creative Practice.
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Dance Research PanelistTeam GITAM, 21 Nov 2025Discussed routes of dance research with veteran gurus, scholars, and peers.
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One Day National Seminar – ‘Transcultural Stages: Recontextualizing Chavittu Natakam, Koodiyattam & Manipuri’University of Calicut, 12 Nov 2025Talk: “Performing Knowledge: Body as an Epistemic Site”
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Globalizing Indian Thought 2025: 6th Ed. International ConclaveIndian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, 13 Nov 2025Presentation: “Tantric Embodiment in Indian Dance Pedagogy”
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IKS Special Lecture & Annual Plan SCMS Engineering College, 22 Aug 2025Kuchipudi Special Lecture SSUS, Kalady, 27 Mar 2025
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Coordination – IKS National Kathakali SeminarKalikkotta Palace, Tripunithura, May 2025 On behalf of Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous)International Conference of IKSRajagiri College of Social Sciences, Jan 2025
2022
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Harvard Referencing & Citation SessionUniversity of West of Scotland, ISCA, Cochin, 8 Mar 2022
2021
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UGC-NET Coaching in Dance50 sessions for 34 dance aspirants (21 Aug – 14 Oct 2021)50 sessions for 30 dance aspirants (21 Jul – 25 Sep 2021)
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ATAL-FDP on Art and EducationGovt. College of Teacher Education, Thalassery, 30 Dec 2021 Topic: Dance and Education
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Seminar Series – Rasa-PradhanRasadarpana Academy (Online), 7 Nov 2021 Topic: Kuchipudi
2020
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Course – Mohiniyattam Elective SSUS, Kalady, 22 Oct 2020 Topic: Kuchipudi: History and Aesthetics
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Lets Talk About Dance – RLV Male Artistes’ Group13 Sep 2020, Topic: Kuchipudi Dance Aesthetics
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Danceathon-2 Online Lecture SeriesTIDE, The Indian Dance Experience, 2 Jun 2020Topic: Cultural Phenomenology of Mohiniyattam Movement Concepts
2024
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Kuchipudi Keynote SpeechNavyam Festival, Iringalakkuda, 15 Dec 2024
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IKS Special Lecture – Parambara 2024–25S N Nattika College, 3 Mar 2025
2017–2016
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Workshops & TrainingKuchipudi Workshop, 30 Apr 2017, Nrityakalakshetra, Angadippuram
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Kuchipudi & Art Appreciation Workshop, 13 Jun 2016, Thanal Campus, Kiralur
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Three-Day Workshop – Understanding Dance as Human Instinct & Behaviour, 29–31 Dec 2016, Thanal Campus, Kiralur
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Earlier ContributionsTeachers’ Interactive Sessions – ‘The use of Dance Knowledge in Classrooms’, 31 Jan 2020, Govt. College of Teacher Education, Thalassery
Aswathy’s performance art explosively fuses space, water, body-knowledge, posture, and politics — unraveling the raw depths of human emotion and consciousness.
The Confluence of Space, Water, and Body-Politics
WATER LIVES 2020
Works
2024 — Act of Untying Road Experiments
2021 — Water Lives 2
2021 — Intertwined
2021 — Waterto Sky
2021 — Aruthe
2020 — Water Lives
2019 — Water in Fire
2018 — Untying Serpent
Aswathy’s performance art explosively fuses space, water, body-knowledge, posture, and politics, unraveling the raw depths of human emotion and consciousness.The Confluence of Space, Water, and Body-PoliticsWATER LIVES 2020
2020 Water Lives
2021 Intertwined
2021Waterto Sky
2019Water in Fire
2024 Act of Untying
Road Experiments
2018 Untying Serpent
2021 Aruthe
2021 Water Lives 2
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Vakacharth – 2019
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Mayura Sandesham – 2020
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Chinnajirukiliye – Bharatiar Kriti, 2020
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Kalam Vanathil – Bharatiar Kriti, 2020
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Parulanamata – Javali, 2020
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Guruvayurappane – Kirtanam, 2019
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Karanam Cheyyan – Padam, 2019
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Njanapana – Slokham, 2019
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Njanapana – Phalasruti, 2019
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Hari Chana ki Dasi – Meera Bhajan Thillana in Raga Chenjurutti, 2021
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Asai Mugam – Bharatiar Kriti, 2020
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Yakshi Padayanipattu – 2021
Kuchipudi
Choreolist
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Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) Attended UGC MMTTC – Indian Knowledge Systems Six-Day Faculty Development Program Organized by UGC & Central University of Kerala 18 June – 24 June 2024
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FDP on Innovative Pedagogies and Artificial IntelligenceSeven-Day Faculty Development ProgramOrganized by UGC & Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous)16 March – 22 March 2025
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FDP on IKS and ResearchSix-Day Online Faculty Development ProgramOrganized by Nucleus of Learning and Development28 April – 3 May 2025
My Gallery
Welcome to my portfolio. Here you’ll find a selection of my work. Explore my projects to learn more about what I do.
My Gallery
Welcome to my portfolio. Here you’ll find a selection of my work. Explore my projects to learn more about what I do.
