Cultural Centre of India History

Padma Chebrolu started dance at the age of three in India. She finished her Bharata Natyam Arangetram (graduation) recital by the age of eleven. She studied under several master teachers or gurus and mastered Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Andhra Natyam, Mohini Attam, and other classical dance styles. Some of Padma’s gurus include; Dr (Prof). Uma Rama Rao, Lakshman Rao and K. V. Chalam.

Padma is the founder and artistic director of the Cultural Centre of India, founded and established more than 25 years ago. In June 2019, City of Cincinnati Mayor, Mr. John Cranley issued a proclamation recognizing the contributions of the Cultural Centre of India over the years to bring diversity in arts. This organization gave thousands of performances, presentations, and workshops to the Ohio communities to promote awareness, understanding, and a better appreciation for diversity and heritage arts.

Padma created the instructional DVD series, Dances of India, to bring the mysteries of Indian dance close to worldwide audiences. This series is being used by many dance departments, schools, libraries, and museums. She has made numerous TV appearances both in India and in the US and brought awareness to the value of cultural collaboration and education.

Cultural Centre of India currently offers BA and MA degrees in affiliation with Alagappa University, India. The Cultural Centre of India is one of the few institutions outside India to earn this honor. Several of the past and current students and dance company members have received the National Arts Scholar Award, Young Arts Award, Cincinnati Arts Association’s Overture Award, and other college scholarships for their excellence in various classical dance styles of India.

Padma Chebrolu’s background in education includes Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Xavier Univ and Masters in Education (MEd) from Univ of Cincinnati. She is an Ohio Certified High school teacher and has a degree in Dance from India.

Padma serves on the Advisory board of OhioDance, a state service organization supporting the diverse practice of dance in Ohio. She received the “Dada Rafiki” award from Eye of the Artist Foundation, Inc for her positive contributions to the community through her dance.

As a member of “Artist on Tour” with Cincinnati Arts Association, Padma presents the following at school programs and community events: India Culture Comes To You – Dances of India.

Padma is part of the Ohio Arts Council’s Ohio Teaching Artist Roster, an online tool that helps connect communities with well-qualified Ohio teaching artists. As part of this, Padma provides high-quality creative opportunities for students, including in-person and virtual performances, workshops, and artist residencies. This is in partnership with Art Possible Ohio, Center for Arts-Inspired Learning, Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, and OhioDance.

Along with operating a dance studio, she conducts lectures, demonstrations, workshops, and performances at many universities, museums, corporations, and performing art schools.

The Cultural Centre of India was established more than 27 years ago to serve the Ohio communities and beyond.

Cultural Centre of India – Based in Cincinnati OH

Heritage and Traditional Dance styles from India

Style(s) of dance expertise: Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Mohini Attam, Andhra Natyam, Kathak Fusion, and Bollywood

The Cultural Centre of India brings awareness about India’s cultural heritage, it offers authentic knowledge of the art form to the younger generation of artists in our community. This organization plays a vital role in sharing the traditional art form of Indian Dance, strengthening the cultural depth and diversity in Ohio.

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the performing arts. Through the pandemic, the Cultural Centre of India has led the dance company and studio through exemplary and relentless efforts to teach and share the ancestral and heritage arts with the community through monthly free online performances to schools, universities, libraries, and communities in Ohio in addition to global audiences.

The Cultural Centre of India strives to build Cultural Diversity in the world of dance. With the intent on inclusion aspect in dance, the Cultural Centre of India is committed to work that raises the level of access, visibility, and representation of Asian Americans in dance. The company presents and brings Masterclasses, teachers and workshops to Cincinnati and partners with many arts and community organizations.

The Cultural Centre of India is here to continue sharing and celebrating diversity, legacy, culture, and resilience. Great value is placed on the unique responsibility to step into this space and represent and give access to dance to all artists. The quality of our artwork has great potential to increase community participation in the traditional arts. While active involvement in the statewide dance community by professionals is significant for dance as a field, it is equally essential for the public to learn the significant cultural art forms from traditional artists.

Milestones

1992

Chandrika (Moon Light) dance drama production in Mohini Attam dance style at University of Cincinnati

1994

The Cultural Centre of India Founded

1995

Performance for Inaugural of Aronoff Center for the Arts

1995

Start of Fine Arts Fund / ArtsWave Collaboration

1995

Start of collaboration with Hamilton County and Cincinnati Public Libraries

1996

Start of Cincinnati Arts Association – Overture College Scholarship Award Winners

1997

Cincinnati Arts Association – Start of Artist on Tour Membership

1997

Performance at the Cincinnati Fountain Square to celebrate the 50th Independence Day celebration of India with Mayor Roxanne Qualls

2002

Start of Yearly Arangetram Series – Solo Graduation Recitals in classical dance style(s)

2002

OhioDance Board Member

2003

Release of Dances of India – Learning Bharata Natyam Instructional DVD

2003

Release of Dances of India – Bharata Natyam Arangetram Dances DVD & CD

2003

Start of Cincinnati Arts Association – Overture College Scholarship Award Winners

2005

Release of Dances of India – Kuchipudi Ranga Pravesam Dances DVD & CD

2007

Start of Young Arts – College Scholarship Award Winners

2011

Start of OhioDance Advisory Board Membership

2011

Start of Student Degree Graduations from Alagappa University in Bharata Natyam Dance style

2018

Cincinnati Art Museum – Fabric of India Exhibit Artist & Dance company performances

2019

Ohio Arts Council – Start of Ohio Teaching Artist Roster Membership

2019

Start of ArtsWave Power of Her Collaboration

2019

Recognition by Mayor Mr. John Cranley

2020

Start of Monthly online free performances for global audiences & Covid19 Support Requests

2021

India Raga Fellowship Awards in Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi dance styles

2021

Start of collaboration with AARP - Bollywood Dancing and Brain Health series

2021

Dance Residency & Holiday Nutcracker choreography with Dayton Dance Conservatory

2021

Ohio Arts Council’s Ohio Heritage Fellowship Award