Shivaram (1916? - 2001)

Shivaram in 'Ras Leela', ca. 1940-1947

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Ananda Shivaram was born to Gopala Panicker and Pathiyazath Madahvi Amma. During the early 1930s Shivaram studied at the Kerala Kalamandalam, the prominent centre for Indian performing arts established by Vallathol Narayana Menon and Manakkulam Mukunda Rajah in 1930.

During the mid 1940s Shivaram met the Australian-born dancer and architect Louise Lightfoot. After this meeting Shivaram joined Lightfoot on tours promoting Kathakali and other Indian dance styles throughout India and Sri Lanka. In 1947 Lightfoot brought Shivaram to Australia to perform at the National Theatre, Melbourne. During his 1947 tour, billed as the ‘first Indian artist to visit Australia’, Shivaram performed in Australian capital cities, as well as New Zealand and Fiji. The 1947 tour began in Melbourne on 28 April at the National Theatre, Eastern Hill, supported by an ensemble of Australian dancers including Ruth Bergner and Pat Martin. Dances performed by Shivaram on his tour included Runga Pooja, Kamadeva, Forest Scene, Ras Leela, Peacock Dance, and King Rugmangadan. During the 1947 tour, Shivaram taught classes in Kathakali at the National Theatre to dancers including Ruth Bergner and Eugenie Knox. Shivaram returned to Australia in 1949 performing the title role in Louise Lightfoot’s Indra Vijayam for its premiere by the National Theatre Ballet at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne.

Shivaram made a return tour to Australia in 1974, performing at Monash University’s Music Department with the Malaysian-born Australian dancer Chandrabhanu.

See also: Bergner, Ruth ; Chandrabhanu ; Indian Dance in Australia ; Lightfoot, Louise

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Research Materials

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Other resources

Find more about Shivaram in:

• Internet - Google
• Collection - OzLife
• Articles - New York Public Library Dance Collection
• Pictures - Picture Australia