https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

An IAS officer and a Classical Dancer Par Excellence

Balancing bureaucratic work with `bharatnatyam’ requires a different level of rhythmic control. And Kavitha Ramu is a master in it.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Noted IAS officer-cum-bharatnatyam dancer Kavita Ramu is a rarity among Indian civil servants. Her life journey is as fascinating as the 600-plus stage performances she has given over the years.

Kavitha Ramu was just four years old when her mother, who was a professor, took her to Guru Neela Krishnamurthy. In her guidance she started to learn the basics of Bharathanatyam. Slowly she started enjoying it. She used to practice daily, and soon dancing become her passion, along with the studies. Each and every performance earned her great praises and accolades. She was happy and content but then she also had to do more. 

Currently, Ms. Ramu is the Director of Integrated Child Development Scheme. 

She was influenced by her father’s work as well. 

Kavithat’s father was an IAS officer and inspired her to become one. As such, the young girl has to work doubly:  to pursue a career in civil services while continuing her passion for dancing. It was a difficult at start, but she did not halt. All she had within her was this determination to serve the country through civil services and immense love for the classical dance.

 Kavitha Ramu not only managed to crack UPSC but also earned fame in the field of classical dance. 

One can only imagine how she pulled of both career and passion with same level of success. In an interview, she once said that serving in administration makes her life’s purpose complete while dancing for hours helps her to crave for that purpose. Not only this, the daily dance practice works as a stress buster for her. 

The journey of becoming an acclaimed Bharathanatyam artist 

Kavitha Ramu was born in Madurai. At the age of four, she started her training for Bharatnatyam under Guru Neela. In just one year she became adept in most of the ‘Bhav and Bhangimas’ of this classical dance. She was eight years old when she got an opportunity to dance at the Fifth World Tamil Conference, held in Chidambaram. She considers this performance of 1981 as one of her finest in front of a live audience. She still cherishes that experience, gets goosebumps thinking about it.

Ms. Ramu creating a Bhangima during the performance

Later on, in Chennai, Kavitha came in touch with famous dance Guru KJ Sarasa. She learned many techniques of dancing under him for around fifteen years. He also taught her the Vazhuvoor style of Bharathanatyam. Simultaneously, she was performing in the festivals in school, college and programs held by cultural club. Meanwhile, she also learnt Nattuvangam from the famous Guru Indira Rajan. Nattuvangam is a separate style in Bharathnatyam, which deals with the rhythmic sound play of cymbals. 

Ms. Ramu in a photoshoot

Kavitha has been giving stage performances for the last 30 years. She has held over 600 solo performances. She also played the lead role of Annamaya, in the Bharathanatyam recital choreographed by Dr. M Balamurali Krishna. For this performance, she had to travel abroad while she was preparing for civil services. She also got critical acclaim for the work she did in that recital. Ms. Ramu is also an `A grade’ artist for Doordarshan, and has been part of many programs broadcasted by the national channel. She also co-ordinated the cultural events for the opening and closing ceremonies during the South Asian Games, held in Chennai in the 1995. 

The Administration 

Ms. Ramu after giving her vote

While growing up, Kavitha saw her father’s work and was inspired by how bureaucrats function. She also decided to pursue of civil services and chose Economic for the graduation. While continuing her Masters in Public Administration, she started preparing for the UPSC,  She became college topper in her post-graduation. First, she cracked the Tamil Nadu public services. Then in 2002, she repeated the feat by clearing the UPSC. In an interview with media, she once pointed out that she wanted IFS in the beginning but chose IAS because she neither wanted to leave the country nor wanted to give up the dance.

During her long tenure, Kavitha Ramu has been posted as the Assistant Commissioner of Chennai’s Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department, Revenue Divisional Officer in Vellore, and the Joint Commissioner for Relief and Rehabilitation in the Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project (TNRSP). She also served as the General Manager for the Tamil Nadu State Tourism Development Corporation and Director of museums. Currently, she is the Director of Integrated Child Development Scheme. 

We hope that she continue to follow her passion and profession and inspire us all.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
scam
‘Hello, This is IPS Officer Speaking…’: 9th-Pass Youth Tricks Cops in Three States with Fake Voice Scam
Screenshot 2025-07-18 214334
L&T Chairman Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan’s FY25 Remuneration Jumps Nearly 50% to Rs. 76.25 Crore!
bureaucracy news
Appointments Update: IRS Kommisetty Murlidhar to Join Andhra Govt; Jay Nath Yadav Inducted into IAS
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
Indian Overseas Bank Plans Rs. 4,000 Crore Fundraising via QIP; Net Profit Soars 76% in Q1 FY26
Paresh Saxena IPS
IPS Officer Dr Paresh Saxena Protests Empanelment Denial, Returns President’s Distinguished Service Medal
Screenshot 2025-07-18 212145
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Unveils ‘Anjor Vision @ 2047’ - A Bold Roadmap for a Developed Future!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
The Secret of The Secret – How To Make The Universe Conspire For You
AI 171 CRASH
AAIB Initial Probe In AI-171 Crash Questioned By Aviation Experts
Ravi Kapoor
Why Ex-IRS Officer Ravi Kapoor Walked Away from Power
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Bhavesh Royada
“People often don’t put in the effort required for exams of this level,” Bhavesh Royada
Bhavesh Royada left a stable engineering job to follow his passion for nature. Overcoming failures and...
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-14 at 15.58
The Economist Who Became an IFS Officer
How Abhimanyu Gahlaut balanced global economics and civil services dreams to crack UPSC with AIR 38
Disha Dwivedi UPSC
How Disha Dwivedi Cracked UPSC in Her Sixth Attempt with Unshakable Determination
Disha Dwivedi’s UPSC journey from five prelims failures to securing AIR 672 in 2024 showcases strategic...
Social Media
Screenshot 2025-07-18 203508
Majestic Tiger Rescue and Release in Sundarbans Captivates the Internet: IFS Susanta Nanda Shares Video On X
The video captures the tiger’s strength, agility, and instinct—a breathtaking sight as the big cat slices...
Standing Leopard
Leopard Stuns Internet by Standing on Two Legs Like a Meerkat
A rare video of a leopard standing on two legs in Kruger Park stuns viewers and goes viral across social...
G S Roshni
Kerala’s Fearless Forest Officer G.S. Roshni Rescues 16-Foot King Cobra with Bare Hands, Garners Praise & Critique
Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni’s first-ever king cobra rescue goes viral, earning her the title of ‘Green...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
AI 171 CRASH
Ravi Kapoor
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT