Dr. Keerthi Panicker

About Master

Dr Keerthi Panicker is a Bharatanatyam danseuse from Kollam, Kerala, and a disciple of The Dhananjayans. She is known for presenting thought-provoking Bharatanatyam productions that combine classical tradition with contemporary social themes.

She was initiated into dance by her mother, Usha Panicker, and later trained in the Pandanallur style under the late Bhargavan Pillai. After completing her post-graduation in music, she moved to Chennai to study under The Dhananjayans, from whom she trained for 16 years. She also earned a doctorate with research on “Music in dance-drama.”

Keerthi is noted for giving modern interpretative dimensions to classical works. In her production “Meera – Calling for a Saviour,” she reimagines the Meera bhajan “Hari tum haro jana ki peer” in a contemporary context, using Bharatanatyam to address issues such as women’s safety, children’s insecurity, and cruelty to animals.

A distinctive feature of her work is her collaborative approach to music. In this production, she worked with vocalist Sikkil Gurucharan and pianist Anil Srinivasan, creating an unusual and innovative musical experience for Bharatanatyam, including abhinaya performed to instrumental passages.

She has choreographed several solo productions, including:

• Sakthi Prabhavam

• Sampurna Ramayanam

• Sree Krishna Charitham

• Jungle Book for Children

She also runs Dr Keerthi’s Institute of Arts-ANG, which has branches in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.

Key Highlights

• Name: Dr Keerthi Panicker

• Profession: Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, scholar

• Hometown: Kollam, Kerala

• Primary Gurus: Usha Panicker, late Bhargavan Pillai, The Dhananjayans

• Training Style: Pandanallur style; advanced training under The Dhananjayans

• Academic Qualification: Post-graduation in music; Doctorate on Music in dance-drama

• Known for: Innovative Bharatanatyam productions with contemporary relevance

• Dance Institution: Dr Keerthi’s Institute of Arts-ANG