D. Padmakumar

(HOD) Kalaripayattu and Contemporary Faculty

Over 30 years ago, D Padmakumar, a sincere dance student and enthusiast in his teens hailing from God’s Own Country, Kerala, embarked on a journey that would, in the course of the following years, create awe-inspiring choreographies and dynamic performances across the world.

The vision and motive since being clear: to impart learning and help create individual journeys in movement. Lovingly and popularly addressed Pappan, he is an exponent of Bharatnatyam, Kalaripayattu, Indian Contemporary and Physical Dance Theatre.

A trained martial artiste in Kalaripayattu, under the guidance of Guru Shri Satyen from CVN Kalari, Trivandrum, and learning Nadana Bhushanam from Swathi Thirunal College of Music, he is a Bharatnatyam exponent trained under Guru Smt Maheshwari Nagarajana from Nritya Kala Kendra, Ahmedabad. For close to three decades now, D Padmakumar has performed extensively in countries including Australia, China, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Kirgizstan, Scotland, Singapore, Taiwan, among many others, a process that only bettered his art of observation, exploration and performance. With most of his years spent in the culturally rich Gujarat, Pappan believes home is where his heart, and art, is.