Prathibha Prahlad

Chair of Creative Women in India

Prathibha Prahlad is a classical dancer par excellence, choreographer, educator, author, and a cultural visionary. In a career spanning over 40 years, she has performed in over 60 Countries and created path-breaking cultural equites for India. Her exceptional work in showcasing Indian arts and artistes on a global scale is profound and unparalleled in contemporary history.

Prathibha Prahlad’s innate understanding of  cultural diplomacy and cultural tourism led her to create the Delhi International Arts Festival-India’s Signature Arts Festival of international repute, of which she is the Founder Festival Director. Earlier, she created the Hampi National Tourism Festival, was the ‘Culture Convenor’ of the Commonwealth Games 2020, in charge of  the ‘Opening and Closing’ ceremonies and the culture head of Hannover Expo 2000, a high-powered cabinet committee on culture. She has served with distinction on several committees of the Govt. of India, pertaining to culture.

A postgraduate in mass communications, she has published several articles, seminar papers, authored books, addressed International cultural forums and given TEDx talks. She also designed the MHRD E-Patashala syllabus (Bharatanatyam ) for post-graduates in 2015. Prathibha Prahlad has to her credit the procurement of train-travel concessions for artistes, which continues to date.

The Prasiddha Dance Repertory of which she is the artistic director has earned many encomiums.

Prathibha Prahlad is the recipient of PadmaShri and the Sangeet Natak Akademi awards, apart from several other prestigious awards, including Karnataka State Govt. award and Karnataka Kalasree. Many private institutions and conferences have bestowed awards on her. She has been honoured with a special MY STAMP of Rs. 5/- by the Posts & Telegraphs Ministry, in acknowledgement of her exemplary work in the cultural field.

She is the founder Chairperson of non-profits Prasiddha Foundation & Forum For Art Beyond Borders and continues her work as an artiste extraordinaire, socio-cultural feminist, educator, and culture multiplier, influencing communities and changing cultural landscapes.