About
Biography
Parshwanath Upadhye is a distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer, recognized for his extensive training and significant contributions to dance education. He has dedicated over fifteen years to mastering Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of Guru Shri Ravindra Sharma at Ravindra Natya Niketan in Belgaum, cultivating a deep-rooted understanding of the Mysore bani style.
His academic qualifications include Visharad and Alankaara degrees from the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, alongside success in the Vidwath examination conducted by the Karnataka Secondary Education Board. Upadhye's artistic journey has been enhanced by exposure to karanas from Dr. Padma Subramanyam and engagement with various folk traditions throughout Karnataka. Since the early 2000s, he has further refined his practice under the guidance of Kiran Subramanyam and Sandhya Kiran, while also pursuing advanced learning with Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy.
As a performer, Upadhye has showcased his talent at numerous dance festivals in India and abroad, presenting both solo performances and ensemble productions. In 2012, he founded the Punyah Dance Company, where he has created several full-length choreographic works, including "Hara," "Sat-gati," "Paartha," "Punyah Krishna," and "Abha." Alongside his vibrant performance career, he is deeply committed to education and outreach in the field of Bharatanatyam.
He established the Upadhye School of Dance in Bengaluru, where he serves as director and chief choreographer. His wife, Shruti Gopal, who is also a talented and famous dancer, plays a crucial role in the school as a co-director, further enriching the institution's artistic vision and educational mission. Upadhye's dedication and contributions have earned him multiple national honors, including the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar and several awards from the Music Academy. His international engagements through empanelment with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) further highlight his commitment to spreading the art of Bharatanatyam across cultures. Parshwanath Upadhye stands as a prominent figure in the world of classical dance, dedicated to performance, education, and the preservation of India's rich dance heritage.