Padma D.

I am an actor, theatre director/producer, dancer, singer and drama trainer. I have been performing onstage and onscreen for the last 20 years. I currently appear as Ruqaiya Begum in Taj on Zee5, and as Kamala Thakkar in Farzi on Amazon Prime, among others. I regularly perform on Prithvi and NCPA stages in Mumbai. I recently directed a play for children for NCPA and National Theatre London's Connections India programme.
I have a Master's in Acting from East 15 Acting School UK. I am also trained in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam classical dance forms. I have also learnt both Carnatic and Hindustani singing styles. So I bring the best of both Western and Indian acting theories and practices to the floor. That's also I came to co-found one of Mumbai's premier acting schools today, Drama School Mumbai.
I work on Movement, Voice and Speech and Imagination, integrating them through the spine and breath, so that you no longer see the actor, only a character immersed in his or her story. I like to keep my work focussed, disciplined and yet fun and exciting so students can engage with the work with passion and dedication.
I prefer to work face to face, individually or in groups, but since the pandemic have also taken to the online space. Anyone who wishes to learn and can put in the work, do get in touch.