Biography
ChemmParvathy
Chemm Parvathy was born in Trivandrum, Kerala, and began her dance journey under Nanthancode Vinayachandran. She trained in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi with RLV Unnikrishnan, and at the age of 12, she studied Kathakali under Kalamandalam Krishnaprasad, which strengthened her mastery of abhinaya (expression). She also learned Kerala Natanam from Kalamandalam Raji, blending its grace with the strength of Kathakali. At 16, she advanced her Kuchipudi training in the Vempatti style under Smt. Anupama Mohan.
Over the years, Chemm explored various classical dance forms but chose to focus on Bharatanatyam, training under Gurus Sithara Balakrishnan and Smt. Uma Govind. She is also active in theatre as an actor and director and curates a blog named Manimaruthu.
Chemm is the founder of Ilamai Art House in Trivandrum—an evolving creative space that encourages collaboration, expression, and fearless artistry.
Alongside her artistic journey, Chemm is pursuing a PhD in English. The writer and orator in Chemm has a keen eye for versatile narratives deeply fascinated by the dialogue between literature and dance. She has qualified for the National Eligibility Test conducted by UGC, India, for the post of Assistant Professor.
Awards & Recognition
In 2010, she was honoured with the National Balshree Award, one of India’s
prestigious civilian awards for young talent for Creative Performance, conferred
by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education).
She is a Doordarshan graded artist.
She is active in progressive art spaces such as Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangam
(PuKaSa), becoming a State Council member of PuKaSa. The Kerala University
and School Youth Festivals have nurtured her to engage in engaging art spaces.
A house of artistic dreams - a residential art space that embraces fearless creativity, a fluid school of dance and music. The name Ilamai, meaning youthfulness, reflects the vibrant spirit and visionary ethos of this unique art space. Chemm serves as the director of her dream space, ilamai.
Productions
A curated showcase of
performances and artistic creations
L’Internationale
Chemm Parvathy choreographed a performance to the renowned French song “L’Internationale,” a piece that embodies the values of internationalism. She set the performance in Chalai, the bustling commercial heart of Trivandrum,drawing from the landscape of her own birthplace to reflect themes of international unity of the working class and collective spirit.
Sodarathwena
In 2024, Chemm performed Sodarathwena (Fraternity), a Bharatanatyam recital at Soorya Ganesham and the International Dance Festival, Kerala Arts & Crafts Village. Inspired by Sree Narayana Guru, it moved from Daivadasakam to Anumkampadasakam, expressing love, kindness, and oneness with nature.
