Announcing Smaran Awards 2024
We are deeply grateful to be part of a community that nurtures Indian classical art in all its splendor. As a humble way of giving back to the artists who have played an integral role in shaping this vibrant cultural community, we initiated the tradition of the Smaran Awards in 2018. These awards recognize the hard work, dedication, and passion of artists who inspire us all.
With great respect and admiration, we proudly present the Smaran Kala Koushala award to senior Bay Area performer and teacher, Smt. Katherine Kunhiraman, for her groundbreaking contributions to Bharatanatyam and her unwavering devotion to the arts for over 50 years. Her enduring commitment has made a profound impact on the field of classical dance, inspiring generations to follow in her footsteps.
We would like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of our kingsmen who significantly support the artistic and cultural growth of our community.. This year, we are honored to present Shri Suresh Babu and Aishwarya Venkat with the title of Smaran Kala Tapasvi in recognition of their exceptional leadership in community events, along with his passion for the arts, philanthropy, theatre, and connecting artists & literature. His unwavering commitment to these fields has greatly enriched our cultural landscape, fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts and inspiring others to contribute
We are proud to felicitate multifaceted artist Smt. Snigdha Venkataramani with the award of "Smaran Kala Spoorthi"in recognition of her outstanding contribution as a Musician and Dancer par excellence. Her dedication to provide artistic support to our community is invaluable and inspirational.
We invite you to join us in honoring them on September 22nd, 2024, at the Del Mar Performing Arts Center, San Jose, CA, during the Smaran Dance Festival 2024.
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Smt. Katherine Kunhiraman
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Katherine Kunhiraman's journey to India began when her stepfather was appointed an advisor for India’s Fourth Five-Year Plan through the Ford Foundation in 1963. She was just 18 when her family relocated, sparking her deep interest in theatre, religion, history, and textiles. These passions found a natural home in India’s classical dances. Over the next twelve years, Katherine immersed herself in Indian dance, studying Bharatanatyam and Kathakali, marrying her Kathakali teacher, and starting a family while pursuing a career in dance.
In 1970, Katherine and her husband, Kunhiraman, moved to Berkeley, California, where they started teaching and performing Indian classical dance. Their early years in the U.S. were challenging, but their dedication to preserving the ideals of Kalakshetra and spreading Indian art forms never wavered. Katherine and Kunhiraman performed across the U.S., from prestigious venues to parks and schools, determined to introduce Indian dance to diverse audiences.
Katherine co-founded Kalanjali, an organization dedicated to teaching Indian classical dance, which has thrived for nearly 50 years. She and Kunhiraman received many accolades, including the Malonga Casquelourd Lifetime Achievement Award. Katherine continues to honor her late husband’s legacy and remains proud of the thousands of students who have passed through Kalanjali, many of whom have become professional performers. Her journey reflects her unwavering commitment to the beauty of Indian dance and culture.
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Shri Suresh Babu
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Suresh Babu is a well-known community leader in San Francisco Bay area. Hailing from Bengaluru in India, Suresh is very active in the local Kannada community and served as the president of Kannada Kota of Northern California (KKNC). Suresh led the AKKA World Kannada Conference in 2014 as conference convenor. The 3-day event, which drew 4500+ participants, remains one of his biggest achievements to date.
Suresh is also active in various philanthropic organizations in the Bay Area and is a regular face at community events. His other interest includes theatre (acting, dancing & directing), literature and spiritual activities. “Creativity” – in all walks of life and specifically in arts, drives Suresh day-in, day-out.
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Smt Aishwarya Venkat
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Aishwarya Venkat is a versatile performer trained in Bharatanatyam by Kalaimamani Thanjavur Rajalakshmi in India. She has been a recipient of many scholarships and awards and is also a Graded artist in Doordarshan India. With 2 decades of solo and group performances in renowned platforms she is known for her graceful performances and dynamic stage presence. She holds a Diploma in Fine Arts from Bharatidasan University, India, and continues her journey as a student under the guidance of mentors like Smt. Mythili Kumar and Smt. Vidhya Subramanian.
As a free-lance artist she enjoys collaborating and exploring different types of choreographies. Aishwarya has performed as both a soloist and an ensemble member with leading dance companies such as Abhinaya Dance Company and Smaran Performing Ensemble . She has essayed prominent roles in renowned productions like “Draupadi - An enigma” "Through the Eyes of Apsaras", "Life of Pi," "Gandhi”, "The Earth Speaks", "Ramanuja Vaibhavam", “Mudivil Oru Arambam” and “Baalya”. Aishwarya has been part of the Smaran Ensemble since 2012 and has performed in notable productions such as "Thandava," "Ashtalakshmi Vaibhavam," "Roopa Viroopa," and many other ensemble works.
Beyond the stage, Aishwarya Venkat is a dedicated marketing expert, offering her skills to promote numerous Bharatanatyam events across the Bay Area. Since 2014, she has served as the marketing coordinator for the Smaran Dance Festival, where she plays a pivotal role in driving social media campaigns, fundraising promotions, and content creation that ensures each event resonates deeply with the community. Aishwarya’s eloquence and storytelling prowess also make her a sought-after emcee for Bharatanatyam programs, where her insightful commentary and engaging presence captivate audiences. Through her marketing expertise and performances, she continues to build strong connections between the art and the community, enriching the cultural landscape with her passion and advocacy for Indian classical dance.
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Smt. Snigdha Venkataramani
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Snigdha Venkataramani is an accomplished Carnatic vocalist and has undergone training under various senior teachers for over two decades, prominent among them being veteran vocalists Padmabhushan Guru Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana, Sh. K. Vageesh and Smt. K. Sudha, Smt. Sarada Subramanian and Guru Smt Radhakrishna. She is currently training under the internationally-acclaimed vocal duo - Sh. K.N. Shashikiran and Chitravina P. Ganesh, popularly known as the Carnatica Brothers. She received the Junior Scholarship from the Center for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), Government of India, and is a graded artist of the All India Radio, New Delhi. She has released two music albums - "SAMARPANAM", of Carnatic music compositions and "NATYA MANJARI", which comprises a repertoire for Bharatanatyam dance.
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Snigdha is also an established Bharatanatyam dancer having trained under Padma Bhushan Dr. Saroja Vaidyanathan. Snigdha is the recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi National Award for Unity, The Delphic Golden Award and the Aryabhatta international award. She is a highly sought after vocalist and composer for dance having performed with several senior Dance Gurus and promising young performers. She is highly sought after for composing musical scores for dance productions.
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Snigdha imparts training in Carnatic vocal and Bharatanatyam in Fremont, CA and is the artistic director of Laya Dhwani Academy of Performing Arts. Her students have won prizes in National and Regional competitions including the Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana, Sangeet Samrat, Papanasam Sivan Academy and Saptami Nationals
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