People
People
Our organization is indebted to many people.
Kannnada literary stalwarts – Vidwan Raghusutha and Novelist K R Padmaje are the chief supporting pillars of this organization.They stood steadfastly behind Guru Prasanna Kasthuri, when he founded Shanthala Arts Academy.
The very first board of directors included good friends like –
- Mr. Dwarakanath
- Mr. Hardoss
- Shree Hardev Katkar
Current Board of Directors
President
Prof.M R Kamala
Secretary
Sri Pulikeshi Kasturi
Treasurer
Sri A G Shanmugam
Members
Sri M Jayaram
Sri G N Karanth
Smt. Vijayashree Ashok
Smt. Sailaja Pulikeshi
Artistic Director
Kalayogi Guru
Pulikeshi Kasturi
An amicable person, a scintillating nattuvangist with a gifted magical voice, a devoted organiser and a loving teacher – these are the exclamations “Puli” (as Pulikeshi is fondly called) has earned in his two decade carreer. As an acclaimed dancer, nattuvangist, teacher and promoter of classical arts he embraces the world of classical Indian dances with full strength and vigour. His performances are marked with an enjoyable aesthetical experience with an absolute charge of creativity.
Founders
Founder
Prasanna Kasthuri
When Shree Raghusutha, Guru Prasanna’s father put him under Guru Mukund Kaanekar for learning dance in 1975, he had a great memory of his visit to Calcutta(Kolkata) in 1950’s. Then Raghusutha was in search of learning dance for himself, from the legendary dancer Uday Shankar (brother of Ravi Shankar). Raghusutha went to Kolkatta and learnt for a while and came back soon because of family calls. This unfinished dream of father was achieved through his children. All three children – Prasanna, Pulikeshi and Sushma are now well known dancers in the field of Bharathanatyam. Guru Prasanna, eldest of the three, is an established performer and a teacher of two classical dance forms – Bharathanatyam and Kathak and he has promoted the Indian art form in and out of India very successfully.
KR Padmaje
K. R. Padmaje was a well-known novelist of Kannada literature. Her writing was inspired by
social issues around her in 1970s to 1990. She has written novels with varying themes such
as women’s issue, old age problems, romantic stories and biographies. She wrote more than
60 works in her lifetime. He famous books include – “Suprabhata”, “Padmaraga”, “Shubha
Torana”, “aarida Deepa”, Jeevana Raga”, Raga Hamsa”, Badukina Banna, “Vivaha
Bandhana”, “”Mandahaasa”, “Hosa Harusha”, Belliya Chandira”, Megha Maale”,
“Hrudayeshwari”, “Goa dalli Kallaru”, Kogileya Haadu”, “Mohada Mallige”, “Saavina Ale”,
“Anuraga Sindhu”, and many more
Raghusutha
Vidwan Raghusutha
Born into a literary family, Vidwan Raghusutha was initiated into learning the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Scriptures since the age of eight. Raghusutha began writing books in 1952. He has more than 300 books published to his name, which includes novels, poems, short stories, plays and biographies. Having worked as a geography lecturer, he traveled widely in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Along with his dancer son Prasanna he founded the Shanthala Arts Academy with a view to encourage and spread Indian art among the masses.
Advisory Panel
KRL Sushma
- Panelist for Dept of Cultural Affairs-LA, California Arts Council and Georgia Council for the Arts
- Selected as a festival producer by the Dept of Cultural affairs, Los Angeles
- Granted an award by the city of LA- DCA (Dept of cultural affairs) for her dance production APAH – story of two rivers
- Awarded a grant by Forsyth County Arts Alliance GA for artistic presentation
- Curator of LA Indian Dance Festival in Los Angeles