Pulikeshi Kasthuri
As A dancer
Pulikeshi had
his initial training under Smt.Lalitha Srinivsan, later
from Smt Narmada and rigorous training in all aspects of
dance from his brother Prasanna Kasthuri. A recipient of
the govt. of India scholarship, he has also been trained
under Smt Ranjani Ganesan, an alumni of Kalakshetra. He
holds a Masters degree in dance from the Bangalore
University. He has undergone training in martial arts of
Manipur from Sri Sonar Chand and Sri Khilton Nongmaiten,
Kalaripayattu from Sri Anil Kumar, Kerala, Abhinaya from
T K Mahalingam Pillai and Kathak from Smt.Maya Rao.
As a Nattuvangist
Gifted with a
magical voice, Pulikeshi with his stronghold on Laya
(Rhythm) and his perfect pronunciation has been
acclaimed as the best Nattuvangist of Bangalore and has
been invited by all popular dancers of South India to
accompany them on dance performances. Pulikeshi has
undergone training in nattuvangam from his brother
Prasanna Kasthuri and later learnt the intricacies from
B R Sheshadri (Kanna), a well known mrudangist. Some of
the artists with whom he has worked are Vani Ganapathy,
Pratibha Prahlad, Shridhars, Vyjayanthi Kashi, Indira
Kadambi, Ranjani Ganesan, Vivek Kinra (New Zealand),
Malani KrishnaMurthy (California, USA), Lakshmi
GopalaSwamy, Poornima Ashok and many more. His workshops
in nattuvangam have been popular and the number of
students attending his workshop is growing every season.
He has conducted 5 workshops in Bangalore, San Antonio
and St.Louis. Pulikeshi has conducted nattuvangam to
arangetrams in Nashik & Bangalore, which is a unique and
honourable invitation from teachers to conduct
nattuvangam for their disciples.
As a Choreographer
Pulikeshi holds
a choreography degree from the Natya Institute of Kathak
and choreography, Bangalore University under the
tutelage of Guru Maya Rao. He has choreographed ballets
like Bakasura Vadha, Kirataarjuniya, Raghava Vyayoga,
Matadaana, and Usha Parinaya and has assisted his
brother in choreographic works like Subhadra Parinaya,
Maheswari Vamshothpathi, Bali Moksha and Ashta Nayakaru.
International tours
As a member of "Tribhang"
he visited England, France and Switzerland. Along with
Maya Rao he visited the Middle East. As a Nattuvangist
he has traveled Djibouti, Ethiopia, Russia, Europe and
USA.
Dance festivals
He has
participated in dance festivals like the Soorya dance
festival, Soorya festival, Nitya Nruthya, National
Jamboree 93, Natyotsava-96, EFCEP 98, Swarna Bharathi
98, Kanagal Festival, Golden Celebrations of Keshava
Nruthya Shala Bangalore, Mysore Dasara celebrations,
Sangeeth Nataka Academy festival in Bangalore 2002, Eka
Aneka, etc.
As a dance teacher
Pulikeshi
teaches dance at Kenshri International School and at
Shanthala Arts academy, Bangalore. He also conducts
classes in nattuvangam to deserving students.
Awards and Felicitations
Pulikeshi has
been awarded by Aryabhata award as the best Nattuvanar
of decade.