V R Devika - Bio
Dr.V. R. Devika, educationist, author, and actor is the founder and managing trustee of The Aseema Trust - a nonprofit organization for linking traditional performing arts and education and also Mahatma Gandhi and education. She spins on the box Charkha. Trained in Bharatanatyam classical dance under The Dhananjayans at Bharatha Kalaanjali. She is the mentor of Rukminidevi Natyakashetra. Taught dance theory at Padma Bhushan late Kalanidhi Narayan’s Abhinaya Sudha. A well-known story teller and has given hundreds of presentations on Mahatma Gandhi and on heritage subjects such as Nataraja and the cosmos, Collective consciousness in Traditional performing arts, Koothu – total theatre of Tamils. Hundreds of workshops for teachers on Traditional Performing Arts in Education. Has acted in several TV commercials and has a role in a forthcoming Tamil movie.
Education
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PhD on Communication strategies of Mahatma Gandhi, the Department of Philosophy, University of Madras.
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M.A. in Gandhian Thought Madurai Kamaraj University
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B.A in Psychology and Sociology, University of Mysore.
Awards
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Honoured by the Governor of Tamilnadu on International Women’s’ Day 2025.
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Book on Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy received the 2023 South Asia Laadli Media award in the category of nonfiction.
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Kala Seva Ratna award from Rasika Ranjani Sabha.
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Nrutya Surabhi award from Urise arts academy.
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Stree Shakthi award from Ladies Special magazine.
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Kalasevabharathi award from Bharath Kalachar.
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Gnanasamudhra award from Samudra magazine.
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Satya Vimarshaka Sundaram award from Bharatanjali.
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Commemorative award from Bharathakalaanjali.
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Vocational excellence award from Women’s Indian Association (WIA).
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Women’s day honour Brew Magazine and Jaycees.
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Lifetime achievement award from the Amir Khusro music academy.
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Vocational excellence awards from Rotary clubs.
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Rajyothsava award from Kannada Sanghas of Chennai.
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Manitanaeya Panpaalar from lioness’ club.
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British Council’s Charles Wallace Award for Arts in Education.
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Goethe Institute’s cultural multiplicator fellowship.
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Certificate of honorary citizenship from the Governor of Maryland during participation in the US state department’s International Visitor Leadership programme.
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Best lecture demonstration award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha.
Work
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Consultant faculty for Pathashaala KFI at Vallipuram where she gives special assembly talks on art, history, archaeology, temples, language etc
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Taught a course on culture at SS Jain College liberal education programme.
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Taught a course on culture VIT Chennai.
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On the academic council of TNJJ Music and Fine Arts University.
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On the school committee of Avvai Home.
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Has been on the folk and tribal arts and puppetry advisory committee of Sangeet Natak Academy - Government of India.
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Was coordinator for Prakriti Foundation. Chennai. (1998 – 2015)
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Director for Education and Culture of the Madras Craft Foundation and its project Dakshinachitra heritage center (1985 – 96) where she headed a folk performing arts in education project that had schools in Tamilnadu engage seriously with folk artists.
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Has acted in several tv commercials and featured in the coffee table book “50 Inspiring Women of Chennai”.
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Interviewee, interviewed, and a panellist on several TV channels.
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Was a freelance compere, interviewer and production assistant at All India Radio.
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School teacher (P.S.Senior Secondary School, Chennai 1977 - 85).
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Teacher, Mrs. Paul’s school (1974 – 77).
Writing
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Author of Monograph “Rukmini Devi Arundale: Arts Revivalist and Institution Builder”. Niyogi Books. Pioneers of Modern India series.
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Author of “Muthulakshmi Reddy: A trailblazer in Surgery and Women’s rights” Niyogi books: Pioneers of Modern India series.
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Author of coffee table biography “Ward 10 – Remembering Dr. Rangabashyam”.
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Co-author for “Weavers” an English language textbook series published by Indiannica, formerly Encyclopaedia Britannica India Ltd.
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Guest edited the journal “Sangeet Natak: Celebrating folk and tribal forms”.
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Freelance contributor to many publications including The Hindu, Sruti Magazine, The WEEK, and The Indian Express
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Wrote a fortnightly column called “The View from the Wings” for Madras Musings.
Travels
Has travelled for conferences and lectures in Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK and USA.
