Millions love art and its beauty ....
Thousands love to spend time with it, through learning and performing ....
Hundreds teach, train, and share the knowledge ...
Only a few will do all the above and help others to shine with them ....
One such dedicated, passionate and devoted artist is
Guruji Prasanna Kasthuri
- A versatile performer and teacher in Bharathanatyam, Kathak dance forms from India.
- A timeless dancer - who danced 24-hours non-stop marathon in 1986
- A great Nattuvangist and skilled Carnatic vocalist - who composed music to many Bharathanatyam, Kathak productions
- A devoted organizer, who brought hundreds of artists to St. Louis between 2008 - 2024 through the American Natya Festival and St. Louis Indian Music Festival; and many more to different rural villages in India as a part of art education from 1986-1994 through Shantala Nrityotsava
- A visionary, who is organizing "America Natya Idol" to promote Youth dance in the USA
- Passionate Dramatist, writer, and Mrudangam player
Awarded
Missouri Traditional Arts Fellowship
by the State of Missouri, in The USA
Awarded
Karnataka Kalashri
by the State of Karnataka, in INDIA
Guruji was awarded a befitting title
Kala Yogi
Literally translates to "A Saint, who is devoted to arts" - in 2015 by the Karnataka Young Writers Guild in recognition of his selfless service to Indian performing arts in the West.