Chennai, October 15, 2026: Marking 25 years of dedicated training, artistic excellence and the continued practice of Bharatanatyam, Kalaimamani Guru Smt. Padmalaksshme Suresh’s Padmalaya School of Bharatanatyam marked its silver jubilee with Sri Lalithaa Ranga Padmam, presented at Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai. The event brought together 72 junior and senior disciples for a special Bharatanatyam presentation in the presence of Thenisai Thendral Sri Deva, film music director, as Chief Guest, and Sri B. Hemanathan, Deputy Director, Department of Art & Culture, as Guest of Honour.
As part of the silver jubilee celebrations, Padmalayaa Foundations donated two wheelchairs to individuals affected by polio, reflecting the institution’s commitment to extending support to the wider community.
The silver jubilee celebrations also honoured artistes and students for their contributions to Padmalaya’s artistic journey. The Padma Kala Nipuna honour was conferred upon Smt. Chitrambari Krishnakumar, Sri Venkatasubramaniam, Dr. Vijayaraghavan, Sri Devaraj and Sri Sivakumar. Among the students, Mrs. Sindhu received the Sishya Ratna Padmam, while Ms. Subhashree was conferred the Padma Ankuram honour.
Congratulating Padmalaya on this special milestone, Thenisai Thendral Sri Deva, said, “Completing 25 years in the arts is a wonderful achievement and reflects the dedication, discipline and consistency that Padmalaksshme has maintained throughout her journey as an artiste and guru. To sustain an institution and nurture generations of students for 25 years is truly commendable. Bringing together so many dancers and coordinating every aspect of a production like this requires tremendous responsibility and teamwork, and she has executed it remarkably well. The presentation reflected the artistic journey and commitment of the students and teachers. I also appreciate the Padmalayaa Foundations’s initiative of supporting individuals affected by polio through the donation of wheelchairs. It is heartening to see art accompanied by a spirit of service and giving back to society.”
Congratulating Padmalaya on completing 25 years, Sri B. Hemanathan, Deputy Director, Department of Art & Culture, said, “I have known Padmalaksshme and her work for many years, and it is a pleasure to be part of this significant milestone. Deva Sir and I were also present when she received the Kalaimamani and Kalai valarmani award, and it is heartening to see her continue her journey as a dedicated guru, nurturing and inspiring the next generation of dancers. Sri Lalithaa Ranga Padmam reflected the commitment of the students and the collective effort of the orchestra and nattuvangam. Padma’s performance for ‘Brahmam Okate’ set a bench mark for her students to understand how a senior artiste should perform a solo. The presentations on Lord Murugan and Lord Ayyappan were particularly noteworthy. Padmalaksshme’s contribution extends beyond her own artistic practice through the knowledge, discipline and values she imparts to her students. I congratulate her and the entire Padmalaya family on this memorable milestone.”
Speaking on the occasion, Kalaimamani Smt. Padmalaksshme Suresh, Founder and Artistic Director, Padmalaya School of Bharatanatyam, said, “Completing 25 years of Padmalaya is a deeply meaningful milestone for me. Sri Lalithaa Ranga Padmam reflects the collective effort of our artistes, students and their families, who have been integral to our journey. Our orchestra has become an extended family, and watching our 72 students perform after months of dedicated training and rehearsals has been immensely fulfilling. I remain grateful for the blessings of my Guru and Grand Guru, and the support of my family. Through Padmalaya 25, we look forward to 25 activities celebrating Bharatanatyam, learning and tradition, culminating in a charity finale that gives back to society.”
As part of its silver jubilee, Padmalaya 25 will feature 25 activities spanning performances, workshops, lecture-demonstrations and other cultural engagements, bringing together students, artistes, teachers and audiences. The year-long celebrations will culminate in a ticketed charity production next year, extending the milestone into an initiative that gives back to society.
Orchestra Credits
Nattuvangam & Choreography: Kalaimamani Smt. Padmalaksshme Suresh
Vocal: Smt. Chitrambari Krishnakumar
Mridangam: Sri. Venkatasubramaniam
Flute: Sri. Devaraj
Violin: Sri. Kishore
About Kalaimamani Smt. Padmalaksshme Suresh:
Kalaimamani Smt. Padmalaksshme Suresh is the senior-most disciple of Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Smt. Ranganayaki Jayaraman, Director of Sri Saraswathy Gana Nilayam. Padma is a Kalaimamani awardee and an ‘A’ Grade Doordarshan artiste. She holds an M.Phil and is a Gold Medallist from the University of Madras. She is also a panel member of IRCEN, Delhi, and serves as an Executive Committee Member of ABHAI. Her artistic and research interests have extended to projects such as the Sapta Vidanga Sthalams, while her productions Chidambara Kuravanji and Bharata Swatantra Kuravanji have received government grants. Over the course of her career, Smt. Padmalaksshme Suresh has represented Indian classical dance internationally as a cultural ambassador across the USA, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, Colombo, Dubai, Muscat and other destinations. Through the Padmalayaa Foundations, she has also extended support to artists and underserved communities.
About Padmalaya School of Bharatanatyam:
Founded in 2001, Padmalaya School of Bharatanatyam has served as a space for learning, practice and propagation of Bharatanatyam. Under the artistic direction of Kalaimamani Smt. Padmalaksshme Suresh, the institution has trained generations of dancers while preserving traditional repertoire and encouraging artistic exploration.
