Annushka Smirnova

'As an  exponent of Bharatnatyam  she has won the laurels and appreciations from the International scholars and the leading dance critics of India for her grasp, depth and versatility on this subject'.

Ganna Smirnova is one of the leading exponents of Indian classical dance in Eastern Europe.  A highly consummate performer, academic researcher, a trained yoga teacher (Yoga Shiromani), author, organizer and dance teacher par excellence, Ganna has achieved many a milestones in her journey as an exponent of Indian classical dance, Bharatanatyam. She learned for more than six years continuously with the most rigorous and highly intensive training under Guru Smt. Jayalakshmi Eswar with the spirit of the strict Guru Shishya Parampara.

Serving Indian performing art in Ukraine- Teaching, performing and Organizing

Once she returned back to her country for doing the service of promoting and propagating the higher level of cultural understanding between two countries Ukraine and India, Ganna established a highly successful artistic establishment Indian Theater Nakshatra in the most prestigious academic institution of her country Tarasa Shevchenko National University in Kiev, Ukraine in the year 2005 To ensure the higher and updated appreciation and awareness about Indian culture and its performing art in Ukraine, Ganna strives for  round the year with many diverse cultural projects that includes organizing of the highly acclaimed International festival of Indian classical dances named Nrityanjali (2005-2006) and the famed concerts series of Indian classical music named Raganjali(2006-2009-2010) featuring the very best and representative artiste of Indian performing arts all these years in Ukraine

Besides teaching, performing and with the regular organizing of seminars, lecture demonstrations and photo exhibitions both in India as well as in her country Ukraine. These events won the plaudits of both the Ukrainian and Indian Governments representatives. She has to her credit publishing a monograph on the antiquity and the grand traditional history of Indian classical dances with the title “Indian temple dances- tradition, philosophy and legends” in Russian language that was published in the year 2010 and is one of the pioneer litterateurs in her country on this subject. She has been published in many an academic journals of Ukraine on the subjects of Indian performing arts, Indian classical drama and Indian aesthetics.

Annushka has performed very intensively across India in the highly prestigious venues spanning Chandigarh to Chennai and from Ahmedabad to Imphal. Since her highly appreciated arangethram in the year 2000 ,Shehas been invited to perform in many celebrated  and  leading dance festivals of India such as NATYANJALI FESTIVAL IN CHIDAMBARAM AND THANJAVUR, NAADNEERAJANAM Mahotsavam at Thirupathi Devsthanam UDAY SHANKAR DANCE FESTIVAL in KOLKATA, MODHERA DANCE FESTIVAL ,MAHABALIPURAM DANCE FESTIVAL, TAJ MAHOTSAVA, RAJGIR MAHTOSAVA,  Bharath KALACHAR FESTIVAL in Chennai, NATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL IN AHMEDABAD, UNBUND BEATS OF INDIA FESTIVAL IN NEW DELHI, YAKSHAGANA NRITYOTSAVA, PRAGJYOTISHPUR FESTIVAL in Guwahati, Gunjan dance festival in Bhubaneswar and  Bharat Mahotsava in Vizag  amongst others .

Annushka has been invited to perform by the leading cultural institutions to present her solo dance recital  in the various cities of India namely Ahmadabad,  Bangalore, Baroda, Mysore, Jaipur, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Kolkata, Panjim, Varanasi, Patna, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pondicherry, Thiruvananthapuram, Bhopal, Guwahati, Bhuvaneswar, Imphal amongst others.  Ganna showcased her dance recitals  at the highly prestigious venues in Berlin, Moscow, London, Lisbon, Milan, Colombo, Kandy and Prague to name a few. Besides, She had the honor to present the solo dance recitals in the historic 150 years celebration of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in Vishwa Bharati and 150 years celebration of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya in Banaras Hindu University in the year 2012.