Board Members
Smt. Tara Sharma
Veteran Rajasthani Folk Artist | Pioneer of Bhawai Dance
Tara Sharma (born 26 November 1944) is a legendary Rajasthani folk artist and one of the most respected exponents of Bhawai, a highly demanding folk dance form known for its extreme balance and physical discipline.
Working alongside masters such as Roop Singh Shekhawat, she played a seminal role in elevating Bhawai from a regional folk practice to a nationally and internationally recognized performance tradition.
Renowned for balancing eight to nine brass pitchers while dancing on sword edges, broken glass, and metal plates, her performances exemplify technical mastery and spiritual focus. She was the first artist to formally introduce Rajasthani folk dance to New Delhi’s cultural circuit in 1984, and she also served as a technical consultant for the Hindi film Mehbooba (1976), training actress Hema Malini in Terah Tali and Parat sequences. Smt.
Tara Sharma has represented India at major international festivals under the aegis of ICCR and other cultural bodies and has received numerous honours, including the Bharat Gaurav Award, Kalashree Award, and multiple gold medals. As President of Kalavarnam, she provides traditional authority, artistic vision, and cultural leadership.
Pandit Rajendra Gangani
Kathak Maestro – Jaipur Gharana
Rajendra Gangani is among the foremost exponents of Kathak of the Jaipur Gharana, celebrated worldwide for his technical brilliance, rhythmic sophistication, and innovative choreography. Trained from the age of four under his father, the legendary Pandit Kundan Lal Gangani, he embodies the classical rigor and strength of the Jaipur tradition.
A prolific performer, choreographer, and musician (tabla, harmonium, pakhawaj), Pandit Gangani has performed at leading international venues across Asia, Europe, America, and Africa. His acclaimed choreographic works include Leele-Varnan, Maharaas, Raag Vistaar, and Tribandhi. He is a recipient of numerous prestigious honours, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2003), conferred by the President of India.
In February 2024, under his choreography, 1,484 dancers performed at Khajuraho (UNESCO World Heritage Site), setting a Guinness World Record, for which he received the Best Choreographer’s Award. As Secretary of Kalavarnam, he anchors the organization with artistic discipline, national stature, and institutional credibility.
Smt. Sharmila Sharma
Kathak Exponent | International Cultural Ambassador
Sharmila Sharma is an internationally acclaimed Kathak exponent and the younger daughter of Smt. Tara Sharma, belonging to a distinguished family of artists. Her first stage performance at the age of three won her immediate recognition, marking the beginning of a lifelong engagement with the performing arts. She received her initial training in folk and Kathak from her mother and later underwent rigorous classical training at Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, under Pandit Rajendra Gangani and the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj. She became a professional performer at the age of fourteen. Settled in Paris since the early 1990s, she is recognized as the first Kathak dancer to establish and systematically teach Kathak in France. An empanelled artist of ICCR, she has performed and conducted workshops at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Smithsonian Museum, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Musée Guimet, Louvre Museum, and major international festivals across six continents.
As Vice President of Kalavarnam, she contributes to artistic curation, mentoring, and international cultural outreach, embodying the continuity of the Guru–Shishya Parampara in a global context.
Smt. Madhu Nandaniya
Visual Artist | Cultural Administrator
Madhu Nandaniya is a distinguished visual artist and cultural professional and the elder daughter of Smt. Tara Sharma. She holds a B.F.A. from Delhi College of Art and an M.A. in Painting from Jiwaji University, Gwalior, along with advanced studies at Académie Julian de Deddio, Paris Her extensive training includes studies in Art Appreciation and Indian Art & Culture at the National Museum, Delhi; Copper Enamel under Late Padma Shri Vishambhar Khanna and Elizabeth Turell (London); Phad Painting under Padma Shri Shri Lal Joshi; as well as mural and pastel art. She has worked with the Film Division of India, contributed background paintings to the National Award–winning documentary Vedic Mathematics, and participated in numerous national and international exhibitions, including Jahangir Art Gallery, AIFACS, Lalit Kala Akademi, Bharat Bhavan, and ICCR exhibitions. Her works are part of collections at Delhi College of Art and private collections in India and abroad. As Treasurer of Kalavarnam, she ensures transparent financial governance, compliance, and budgetary discipline, strengthening the organization’s institutional foundation.
Collective Strength- Together, the leadership of Kalavarnam represents a rare synthesis of folk legacy, classical mastery, international cultural diplomacy, and professional administration, enabling the organization to conceptualize and execute national- and international-level cultural initiatives with credibility, authenticity, and artistic excellence.
Keyur Nandaniya
Keyur Nandaniya is a former member of the Indian Air Force and a cultural enthusiast with a deep interest in theatre and wildlife photography. His diverse experiences reflect a strong sense of discipline, creativity, and respect for India’s cultural and natural heritage. Through his engagement with theatre, he has developed a close understanding of performing arts and the communities that sustain them. As a member of Kalavarnam, he contributes to initiatives aimed at creating meaningful and sustainable opportunities for traditional and folk artists. He believes that artists should not only be appreciated for their talent but also supported through structured platforms that provide dignity, visibility, and long-term sustainability for India’s living cultural traditions.
Rajendra Naruka
Professional Background
Rajendra Naruka is a Rajasthan-based social worker, cultural promoter, and development professional actively engaged in the fields of art & culture preservation, community development, and green energy initiatives. With a strong commitment to social service and sustainable development, he has been working to connect traditional heritage with modern opportunities for rural communities. He has been involved in supporting and promoting folk artists, traditional craftsmen, and cultural performers, particularly those who are often forgotten or lack proper recognition. Through cultural programs, heritage events, and social initiatives, he works to preserve the rich cultural traditions of Rajasthan while creating platforms for artists to showcase their talent.
As part of his social initiatives, Rajendra Naruka has also been associated with organizing cultural development events, community awareness programs, and fundraising efforts to support underprivileged artists and local communities. Alongside his cultural work, he has experience in the green energy and environmental sustainability sector. He has been actively exploring and supporting projects related to renewable energy, biomass utilization, and pollution reduction initiatives, particularly focusing on practical solutions such as biomass pellet co-firing in power plants, which help reduce agricultural waste burning and air pollution. His work combines environmental responsibility with community development, encouraging sustainable practices while generating economic opportunities for rural areas.
Rajendra Naruka also collaborates with industry professionals, government bodies, and social organizations to facilitate projects that contribute to sustainable development, cultural preservation, and social welfare. Through his work, he aims to build stronger connections between traditional knowledge, modern technology, and community empowerment, contributing to the holistic development of society.