Indira started her initial training at the age of six under Sri Janardhan Sharma. Later, she continued her training from Usha Datar under whom she had her successful debut performance. Her passion to excel took her to Narmadha and Savitri Jagannath Rao. Indira has been one of the outstanding disciples of Padmabhushan Kalanidhi Narayanan from whom she has imbibed the nuances of Abhinaya, the art of expression.
She had her training in Mohiniattam from Kalyanikuttiamma, Carnatic Vocal music from Belakwadi Srinivasa Iyengar and Nattuvangam(Cymbals) under Kamala Rani. She has learnt yoga and has taken fitness training sessions from Dr.Kannan Pugazhendi.
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As a performer - With over two and half decades of performing experience, Indira has performed in several national and international festivals and also has shared the stage with stalwarts like Kelucharan Mahopatra, Birju Maharaj, Amjad Ali Khan, Zakir Hussain, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Jasraj, Vishwamohan Bhat to name a few. She has traveled widely to countries like UK, USA, Germany, France, Holland, and Malaysia for performances, lectures and workshops. Reviews in the papers, interviews for the various radios, television networks and the press have brought her art more recognition. Indira is an empanelled artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India.
As a choreographer - A strong believer in classical tradition, her art has ripened and she has carved a niche for herself as one of the excellent exponents of Bharatanatyam today. A sensitive choreographer, Indira has collaborated with artists from different fields and her creative approach has given a new dimension to her traditional foundation. Blending the form and content in an aesthetic manner, her works are traditional yet contemporary keeping in focus the contemporary awareness. Besides choreographing traditional items, she has been working on conceptualizing and choreographing innovative themes and discovers methods to keep the art alive and reach it to the younger generation in the right perspective.
As a teacher – She is the Director of Performing Arts, Ambalam Arts & Culture Pvt ltd. She has been training several dedicated students in India and abroad and some of them have blossomed into talented performers. Students and teachers from abroad visit the Centre annually for intensive training sessions. She specializes in teaching Abhinaya, the art of expression and Nattuvangam, the art of playing cymbals. Her lecture demonstrations have been well received around the world.
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