Dr Maya Rao

Internationally reputed dancer choreographer, Dr. Maya Rao
is the only Indian with a Post Graduate certificate in Choreography from the USSR and the recipient of several awards including the
National Award (President of India )award for Choreography from the
Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Karnataka State Award, the prestigious Shantala Award from the Govt. of Karnataka, the Emeritus Fellowship from the H.R.D. Govt. of India and an honorary doctorate by the Bangalore university

Smt Maya Rao has been invited to Europe, U.S.A, U.S.S.R, on many occasions as a consultant choreographer and as a Jury member for international projects. Smt Maya Rao was trained in Kathak under Padmasri Sri. Shambu Maharaj of the Lucknow Gharana and
Sri Sunderprasad of the Jaipur Gharana.

Her solo recitals and dance dramas imbibed both styles winning much acclaim in India and abroad and she has led cultural delegations to over 28 countries.

Maya Rao was made Chairperson of the Karnataka State Sangeet Nritya Academy (1987 – 1990) during which period she initiated National Performing Arts Festivals at Heritage Monuments – Somanathapura (1988), Pattadakkal (1989) and Halebid (1990).

The SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI AWARD also known as the PRESIDENT’S AWARD, for yeoman service rendered in the field of Choreography in 1989 from the Government of India.

EMERITUS FELLOWSHIP for Eminence in Dance from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India in 1999.

KARNATAKA STATE SANGEET NRITYA ACADEMY AWARD, for Dance in 1968.

RAJYOTSAVA AWARD , From Karnataka State in 1986 for spreading awareness of
Indian Dance and Culture in our State.

SHANTALA AWARD, Karnataka’s most coveted award for Excellence in Art in 2000.

DELHI STATE SAHITYA KALA PARISHAT AWARD.

DISTINGUISHED KONKANI AWARD, from the T.M.A. PAI FOUNDATION, Manipal,

NRITYA VILAS from SUR SINGARSAMSAD, Mumbai,

NATYA KALARATNA, from Gayana Samaj, Bangalore,

DISTINGUISHED GURU AWARD, from THE KANNADA KOOTA’S, U.S.A.