Shovana Narayan Biography 
Shovana Narayan is an acclaimed Kathak dancer, a disciple of Birju Maharaj. She is a recipient of numerous honours including the prestigious Padma Shri in 1992, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 1999–2000, Parishad Samman by Government of Delhi, National Integration Award, Indira Priyadarshini Samman, Rajdhani Ratna Award, Shringar Shiromani Award, Rotary International Award, Dadabhai Naoroji Award 1993 and many more. She has also authored more than 10 books related to classical dance forms. Shovana has researched and discovered 8 Kathak villages near Gaya with documentary and official records. She is married to Dr. Herbert Traxl, former Austrian Ambassador to India.
Shovana Narayan received training from different gurus, most notable being Birju Maharaj. Over the years she has played magnificent role in promoting this art form, and also conserving its culture through her research works and presentations. She travels around the world with her performances, and has been a torchbearer to promote Kathak in many countries. She holds a Master’s degree in physics which she completed from Miranda House in Delhi in 1972. In the 2000s, she took two M. Phil degrees from two Universities. She also worked as a career officer for the Indian Audits & Accounts Service till her retirement in 2010.
A celebrated Kathak guru of present times, she has trained numerous students over the years. She is also a choreographer and performer. She has produced international collaborative works with leading dancers of Western Classical Ballet, Spanish Flamenco and other dance forms from different parts of the world. She performed in the opening and closing ceremony of Commonwealth Games Delhi in 2010, and won huge applauses. “Kadambari: The Poet’s Muse” in 2012 is yet another acclaimed work.
Published: September 12, 2018
Updated: September 12, 2018
