Vaishnavi Puja Gautam

Vaishnavi Puja Gautam is a young teen Kathak Dancer of Jaipur Gharana conferred with the title “Nritya Alankar”. Eleven years old Vaishnavi is passionate about learning dance since early childhood. Vaishnavi is the only child of M K Gautam (a renowned photographer and country head in an MNC) and Puja Gautam. Vaishnavi was destined to become a dancer, born on the International Dance Day, 29th April. Vaishnavi was born and brought up in Faridabad (Haryana).

Early life & education
Vaishnavi’s charismatic personality is a rare combination of attractive stage presence, excellent dance technique, and unmatchable expressions and energy. She has performed in various national and international dance events.

Vaishnavi started learning various forms of dance at the age of five in Faridabad and her first stage experience, at the age of six, coincided with her first dance contest. She participated in a classical dance competition and won the best dancer trophy. Her performance captivated the audience and thereafter she never looked back. Keen to learn the delicacies and technicalities of the dance, she came under the guidance and learned from various dance maestros.

Vaishnavi was passionate about learning dance since early childhood. Vaishnavi is a performer and always remained darling of all dance teachers starting from the kindergarten. She gave her first performance at the age of 3 years at school annual function. On her 5th birthday, Vaishanvi’s father took her to a professional dance academy and Vaishnavi’s journey for professional training started.

She started learning professionally under Dance Masters Prashant Sharma whose crew has recently been Runners Up in International Hip-hop championship. Keen to learn the delicacies and technicalities of the dance, she came under the guidance and learned from various dance maestros including semi-classical from Anshu Garg, Bollywood from Pavneet Sodhi, Hip-hop and urban from her favorite Michael Monk and Jazz from Vivek Vishwanathan. Her desire to explore the ultimate depth of her passion led to famous Jaipur Gharana Kathak Guru Parmod Parihar who is personally training her to become a better classical dancer. She has been fully supported and guided by her school dance teacher Ishima Jain who herself is a trained classical dancer.

Vaishnavi’s cousin Hrithik Gautam, who got admission to Delhi university based on his dance talent and won the best college dancer trophy in his graduation inspired little Vaishnavi at the very tender age to pursue dance. The sibling rivalry between the two on who is a better dancer continues.

Always supported by parents, she found their way through the conservative society to accomplish their only child dream to become a successful dance artist. The emotional and moral strength from the entire family motivated her to choose dance and touch new horizons of success.

From the first performance at the age of 3 years to winning the International Classical Dance Competition and Festival “Nrityadhama” 2020, Vaishnavi has progressed over time with her age.

Vaishnavi’s charismatic personality is a rare combination of attractive stage presence, excellent dance technique, and unmatchable expressions and energy. She has performed in various national and international dance events and won hearts, awards and honors with her magical performances.

Vaishnavi is studying in 6th standard in The Modern School, Faridabad. Apart from consistently winning the “Best Dancer Trophy”, she has been honored with “All Rounder Trophy” for the excellent performance in dance as well as in academics. Vaishnavi has made her school proud repeatedly with her achievements including winning first prize in an inter-school classical dance competition “Ullas” in which more than 40 top schools participated from the country. Vaishnavi has participated in the national taekwondo championship and qualified for the international taekwondo championship however she decided to pursue and devote herself fully to dance.

Vaishnavi is pursuing a Diploma in Kathak from Prayag Sangit Samiti at Allahabad along with formal education in standard VI at “The Modern School, Sector 85, Faridabad”. Among others, Vaishnavi has won International Classical Dance Competition and Festival – Nrityadhama held at Delhi. Vaishnavi has been honored with Delhi Pratibha Puruskar 2019-20, International Icon Award 2020, Swami Vivekanand Rashtriya Yuva Ratan Samman 2020 and Nritya Alankar and Nritya Samman 2020 award.

Her destiny is already written and Vaishnavi is determined to make a full-time career in dance. Vaishnavi has been honored with prestigious “Delhi PratibhaPuruskar 2019-2020” for her exceptional journey in Kathak by The Art & Cultural Trust of India. The award was presented by Indian classical dance maestro, MP, Writer and Dream Girl of Bollywood Hema Malini and Cabinet Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of State for Parliament Affair Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State Dr. Satish Chandra Dwivedi in the presence of various legends including Padma Shree Soma Ghosh and Padma Vibhushan Raghunath Mohapatra and many esteemed guests including Shool Pani from the Indian Classical World.

Vaishnavi has also been honored with Swami Vivekanand Rashtriya Yuva Ratan Samman, International Icon Award 2020, Nritya Alankar Award and Nritya Shree Samman.

To aspiring dancers, her message is simple, “Practice and perform to improve yourself not to compete with others. I have learned that winning hearts brings more joy and happiness than winning trophies. Being an artist isn’t about perfection it’s about passion, people don’t go to shows to witness a perfect performance they go to feel something.”

Vaishnavi’s success would not have been possible without such loving and supporting parents. They always find their way through the conservative society to accomplish their only child dream to become a successful dance artist. The emotional and moral strength of the parents motivated her to choose to dance and touch new horizons of success. Vaishnavi’s parents always make sure that she never misses an opportunity to learn and perform.