Padma Chebrolu is an accomplished teaching and performing dance and visual artist and is the artistic director of the Cultural Centre of India (CCI) which she founded in Cincinnati. Her exemplary artistic abilities, leadership, and creativity have created tremendous impact on the arts education and public appreciation for the heritage arts in Ohio’s schools and community organizations.

Padma is the recipient of the Ohio Heritage Fellowship Award from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) in recognition of the dedication and significant contributions she had on the community through the advancement and preservation of traditional arts. She is also the recipient of the OAC Master Artist awards for Traditional Arts Apprenticeship for preserving cultural heritage. She has been recognized by the Honorable Mayors of Cincinnati for her artistic influence and contributions to the Cincinnati community. She is on the advisory board of OhioDance, the Ohio Teaching Artist Roster, Cincinnati Arts Association’s Artist on Tour for schools in the Greater Cincinnati area, and has been recognized by Cincinnati Arts Association as the Art Educator. Padma frequently serves on OAC grant review panels. She is on the board of the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and on the advisory board of OhioDance. Padma Chebrolu and OhioDance Exceptional University and College Student Scholarship award has been established as part of the annual OhioDance Festival. Films based on the Ohio River produced and directed by Padma Chebrolu have won many prestigious international film festival awards for excellence in the art of dancing and highlighting the importance of our environment.

Padma started dance at the age of three in India. She studied under several master teachers and learned various dance styles. She came to the U.S. as a graduate student to attend the University of Cincinnati and has since created a vibrant artistic community for the traditional arts with audience engagement through interactive and educational performances. Padma leads and enables CCI to give hundreds of performances, presentations, and workshops in Ohio communities to promote awareness, understanding, and a better appreciation for diversity and heritage arts. Her passion and unwavering commitment to arts education brings a complete cultural experience and cross-cultural understanding to support diversity and inclusiveness initiatives in our communities.

Padma is a sought out arts educator, performer, and speaker by Ohio-based schools, libraries, museums, parks, arts organizations, and universities. She specializes in sharing her art in a compassionate way as part of healing arts programs to senior centers, hospitals, and organizations which serve people with disabilities or have health concerns. Many of Padma’s students have won prestigious awards and college scholarships, including YoungArts Awards leading up to the U.S. Presidential Scholar recognition in the Arts and Overture Award from the Cincinnati Arts Association. Padma produced three instructional dance DVDs to teach the traditional dances of India, available at various libraries and universities for students to learn the artform.

OhioDance released the documentary on Padma’s lifetime achievement as part of their award-winning Virtual Dance Collections to tell the narrative of her artistic journey to reach Ohio communities from rural to urban and from children to senior citizens. In addition, PBS ThinkTV released a TV segment featuring the lifetime achievement and story about Padma, highlighting her process of creating the next generation of traditional artists and uplift the mental health of both students and audiences.

RECENT PROJECTS: Enriching Mt. Healthy Early Learning Center (Cincinnati) with a Cultural Arts Experience, Grades PreK-Kindergarten, year-long immersive multi-art residency including visual art, dance, and yoga activities.

“Dances and Culture of India” workshops at several Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Libraries and Fantastic Free Fridays program at Miami University – Introductions to traditional and heritage art forms through interactive activities and stories.

Availability

Upon request