Dr Gayathiri Gowri Shankar has been awarded the prestigious title Natya Kala Nipuna by the Oriental Fine Arts Academy of London (OFAAL), in recognition of her significant contribution to Indian performing arts, particularly Bharatanatyam, and her community engagement.
The title was presented to Dr Gayathiri during the OFAAL Annual Graduation Ceremony 2026, held in February, recognising her dedication to promoting, teaching and performing Bharatanatyam and her commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists in the UK.
Dr Gayathiri is currently a Senior Associate Director at a multinational company and, alongside her professional career, plays an active role in the community and in cultural activities. She serves as a co-opted Governor at Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham, and is a member of the executive committee of Cheltenham Arts Council. She is also the founder of Nethra Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) in Gloucestershire.
Promoting Bharatanatyam and Indian Classical Arts
Driven by her passion for dance and the preservation of traditional Indian performing arts, Dr Gayathiri founded NAPA in 2018. The academy provides training in Bharatanatyam, Carnatic Vocal and Mridangam, creating opportunities for students in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to learn and develop their skills in traditional Indian arts.
This is an abbreviated article from the Autumn issue of Perspectives, which you can view on this website.
