An all-rounder dancer, Smitha Madhav is a proficient Bharatanatyam dancer, singer and nattuvangam player. Sri Pasumarthy Ramalinga Sastri, disciple of Rukmini Devi Arundale, initiated her into the art form, while Nrutya Choodamani Rajeshwari Sainath chiselled her into a perfect dancer. Performing arangetram at Ravindra Bharathi, at a tender age of 10, Smitha went on to star as Sita in ‘Bal Ramayana’ and was part of the choreography for Hollywood blockbuster ‘Life of Pi’. Bragha Bessel trained her in the finer aspects of Abhinaya.
On the academic front, Smitha completed certificate course and diploma programme in Bharatanatyam from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, and MA in Bharatanatyam from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwa Vidyalaya, (Khairagarh University) Chattisgarh. She also passed LLB with distinction from Osmania University and is an advocate since 2006.
The multi-talented Smitha has choreographed many dance ballets like Naalaayira Divya Prabandham, on the sacred works of the Azhwars, several verses of Kamba Ramayanam, Kesaadi Paadam – an ekaahaarya piece in Sanskrit, Sree Venkata Gireesham Bhaje, using compositions of Annamacharya, Tyagaraja, Papanasam Sivan, the Azhwars, Dikpala Vandanam: A Dance Tribute to the Dikpalas, inspired by the traditional Navasandhi Kautuvams performed in the temples of South India. The others include Raagam Raaghavam based on the myriad renditions of Srimad Ramayana, Kolaru Padhigam, Aandaal Thiruppavai, Godhaa Kalyanam, Abhirami Andhaadhi, Azhagar Kuravanji and for the young techies, Management in Mythology that talks of episodes in Indian mythology.
Smitha essayed an important role in ‘Bhaaratiyin Penniyam’ choreographed by senior dancer Revathi Ramachandran, and Radha in ‘Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum’ choreographed and directed by Padma Shri Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy. She has also lent her voice to Annamayya Bhavamrutham, Nandakam, Vaikhanasa Stotram, Vishamakkara Kannan – in praise of Lord Krishna, which also features singers S Janaki and Vani Jairam.
After touring the length and breadth of the country, Smitha has entertained audiences in the US, Australia, Dubai, Nepal, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam. The all-rounder has been bestowed with many awards and recognitions, and the Women Achiever Award from Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Hon’ble CM of Andhra Pradesh.