Kalamandalam Soumaya
Actress/Dancer
Founder | Abhyaas Arts Centre
Soumya Sreekumar
An accomplished Indian classical dancer
Soumya Sreekumar’s journey as an Indian classical dancer began at the age of six, under the guidance of Kalamandalam Usharani Teacher. Soumya’s graceful movements and expressions bring life to the stories and emotions conveyed through the dance form. Her years of training and experience have made her an expert in her craft, and she is highly regarded in the dance community.
She continued her training for seven years at Kerala Kalamandalam, specializing in Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam and studying Literature, Soundrya Sasthramand other related subjects.
Soumya’s dedication to dance eventually led her to join Aranmula Vinjana Vedi, is a well-known foreign institute located in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, where students from around the world come to learn about Indian culture and arts. Soumya Sreekumar had the opportunity to work as a dance teacher at this esteemed institute, where she shared her knowledge and expertise with students from different countries. Through her teaching, Soumya helped to promote Indian classical dance and culture to a global audience.
In addition to teaching, Soumya also established her own dance institute at Aranmula, providing her with the opportunity to develop her own unique style of teaching and performing.
After several years of teaching and performing in India, Soumya took her talents abroad and spent ten years at Kalabhavan in Bahrain, continuing her career as a performer and instructor. Throughout her journey, Soumya’s passion for Indian classical dance has remained strong, and her expertise and skill have made her a respected figure in the field.
Chasing dreams about dancing
After leaving Kalabhavan, Soumya started her dance institute named “Abhyaas Arts Centre” in Bahrain, which focuses on Indian performing arts. It’s inspiring to see how Soumya has continued to pursue her passion for dance and share her expertise with students in Bahrain. The institute provides an opportunity for people in Bahrain to learn and appreciate Indian classical and folk dance forms, which can help to promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.
Indian performing arts have a rich history and tradition, and it’s wonderful to see them being taught and shared in other parts of the world. Through Abhyaas Arts Centre, Soumya is not only promoting the art form but also creating a sense of community and connection among her students.
Soumya has opened a second dance school in Kerala named “Nattyadarppana-Abhyaas Arts Centre” in Cheriyanad near Chengannur in Alappuzha district. The name “Natyadarpana” can be translated to mean “mirror of dance” while “Abhyaas Arts” refers to the practice or study of the arts. Together, the name suggests that the dance school is dedicated to the training and presentation of dance as an art form.
Nattyadarppana offers training in one or more classical forms that are popular in Kerala. Some of the popular dance forms in Kerala include Mohiniyattam, Bharathanatyam , Kuchipudi and Folk dance among others. Dance schools like Nattyadarppana-Abhyas arts play a crucial role in preserving and promoting traditional dance forms and providing opportunities for young dancers to develop their skills and showcase their talent. They also contribute to the cultural and artistic richness of the region and help to keep the art of dance alive for future generations.
In the world of big screen
Soumya Sreekumar act some South Indian films and TV serials from 2018 onwards.
She made her acting debut with the Malayalam film ” Padachone Ingalu Kaatholee “ in 2022, in which she played a supporting role.
Apart from films, Soumya Sreekumar has also acted in television serials. She played a lead role in the Malayalam serial ” Padatha Painkili,” which aired on the Asianet channel. She has also acted in the serials ” Aniyathipraavu “,” which aired on Surya TV and “Kabani” in Zee Keralam
“Make the world your stage”