Pushkala Gopal obtained her BA Honours degree in Mathematics and Economics in 1974. She was awarded a postgraduate diploma in Bharatanatyam in 1977 by the Ministry of Education, India. In 1983, Pushkala was awarded the British council Fellowship and spent a year at Trent Park studying western techniques of theatre, dance and education. She has pioneered several education projects nationally. Pushkala makes regular appearances in Master classes, lectures and performances in India and other parts of the world. Since 1977, she has worked as a freelance performer, lecturer teacher, choreographer, writer, consultant, and composer.
Artistic Creations
Production, performance and touring of dance theatre work including Adventures of Mowgli and Return of Spring as Artistic Director of Akademi 1985-87
As Director of Mudralaya, created and performed in Tapestry of Tales, Beauty and the Beast, Twilight, Taming of the Shrew, Shanti and Secret of Life
Choreographed special dance piece for Queen’s inauguration of the Nehru Gallery at V&A museum
Featured in several performances at the Nehru Centre
Choreographed Devi Diva for North West dance Alliance, 2005
Directed several children’s productions to date and created many dance and music pieces
Lecturer/ Educational projects
Lectured at the Laban Centre’s Community dance MA, Surrey University’s dance graduate and postgraduate programmes, Middlesex University’s dance and music degree modules and Goldsmith College’s Drama course
Taught regularly at summer schools in US and Europe.
Assistant Director in Academi’s Coming of Age project at the South Bank Center, 2001
Served as senior monitoring examiner and vice chair of South Asian Dance faculty
Played an active role in formulating Bharatanatyam syllabus for ISTD
Several students have completed their Arangetram in Bharatanatyam and Carnatic vocal under the tutelage of Pushkala Gopal
Awards
National Scholarship for Advanced training in Bharatanatyam, Ministry of Education, 1975
Singar Mani, title from Sur Singar Samsad, Bombay 1977
Natya Purna award from Bharatakalanjali, Chennai 1979
British Council Fellowship, 1983
Time Out Dance Award, 1988
Digital dance award, 1988
Gulbenkin award for musical studies, 1992
Congratulations for winning the Art Council and Milap Fest award for Distinguished services in the field of Bharatanatyam, 2015