Dance is the language of her soul
Kalpana Subbarao (KUL-PUH-nuh SUU-buh-row) – an artist with over 20 years combined experience in Indian classical dance forms, Kathak and Bharatanatyam. A current disciple of Pandit Sontosh Maharaj, she is a performer, dance maker and a teacher of Kathak at Silambam Houston in Texas. She is also a Taal Vidya (Rhythm) student of Pandit Divyang Vakil.
She holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and has previously worked as a software engineer in a global Fortune 100 company.
A disciple of Pandit Sontosh Maharaj since 2012, Kalpana continues to learn advanced nuances of the Lucknow Gharana style of Kathak in a Guru-Shishya (teacher to student) tradition. She is also a Taal Vidya student of Pandit Divyang Vakil.
Kalpana is dedicated in transferring her knowledge of the classical arts to the next generation and teaches Kathak at Silambam Houston, a nonprofit organization based in Houston, Texas.
She has performed extensively in the US, India, and Malaysia As an Artist in Residence for Dance Source Houston, she created both a short and an evening length collaborative work with Houston-based artists titled Kathak-Flamenco, A Celebration of Cultures. In 2021, she directed and co-choreographed Ritmo Zindagi and presented Kathak-Flamenco at the Miller Outdoor Theater. She is also a Young Audiences of Houston teaching artist with a performing ensemble. Some of her other notable performances were at the Articulate Festival 2018, Barnstorm Dance Festival 2017, Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha 2015, PIO International Festival 2014 and 2013, and the Temple of Fine Arts.
As a choreographer, she showcased her work, Beloved, at the Mind The Gap show (Houston) in 2017. She was the lead choreographer for Kathak in Silambam Houston Dance Company’s dance production, Kāvya : Poetry in Motion. Kathak and Highlights
The Rhythm Lives As They Enter – A review of Ritmo Zindagi
Kalpana & Irma share their thoughts on Ritmo Zindagi
AIRs present new work at Barnstorm Dance Fest
Kathak-Flamenco (A celebration of cultures)
DSH Artist-In-Residence for 2018-2019
Continuing Arts for Learning Lab education
When Poetry meets the Dance Floor
Pablo Neruda, Kalpana and Kathak
Kathak is a passion for life – Business Economics (Jan 01-15, 2017 issue)
A celebration of Indian culture
Magnificent melody and mobility
Kerege Hara – a superb dance drama
A night for music, dance and friendship
Sharing Stories (Indian Dance, Theater and Flamenco) at Miller Outdoor Theater, Hermann Park, Houston
Silambam Houston’s Pragati Maarga 2021
2nd grade residency at McDougle Elementary School (Young Audiences of Houston)
Quarantine Kathak Connections – Episode 8 – Paramelu
Quarantine Kathak Connections – Episode 7 – Bandish – Payaliya Jhankar Mori
Quarantine Kathak Connections – Episode 6 – Krishna Kavitt & Paran
Quarantine Kathak Connections – Episode 5 – Harihar Paran
Quarantine Kathak Connections – Episode 4 – Tarana
Quarantine Kathak Connections – Episode 3 – Toda and Tez Aamad
Quarantine Kathak Connections – Episode 2 – Parmelu
Quarantine Kathak Connections – Episode 1
Kathak – Flamenco, A Celebration of Cultures
Kāvya : Poetry in Motion at Miller Outdoor Theater
Silambam Houston outreach at Children’s Museum of Houston
Mind the Gap show
Kāvya : Poetry in Motion at M.A.T.C.H.
Barnstorm Dance Festival 2017
Pragati Maarga 2017
A recipient of a 3-year scholarship from the Sangeet Nritya Academy in Karnataka, India.
1st rank holder in Vidwat (proficiency), and Senior level state exams and 2nd rank holder in Junior for Bharatanatyam in Karnataka.
Kalpana started her initial training from Guru Smt. Rema Shrikant in Vadodara, Gujarat as a child of 8.
She continued her advanced training with Guru Smt. Lalitha Dorai/Guru Smt. Nandini Eswer in Mysore, Karnataka and completed her Arangetram under her guidance. As a Raasavrunda School of Dance student, Kalpana participated in multiple productions (Kerege Haara,Gokula Nirgamana,Mamatheya Suli Manthare, Alama Prabhu) both as a cast member and as a principal soloist.