Here is an artist who carries many labels—star performer, rebel, maverick, choreographer, teacher and outspoken advocate for artists’ rights. Considered by many to be brash and blunt, those close to him know him as a caring artist who does not hesitate to call a spade a spade – even at the cost of his own career. Narendra born on 8 October 1965, is the son of S. Prabhamani and H.S. Gundu Rao. The founder-director of Avigna Dance Ensemble was conferred the Aacharya Award in 2011, the titles of Naatya Sevaka in 2018 by Bharata Kalanjali, Mayura Nrithya Saagaram in 2019, the Nartaka award by Natyanjali Trust in 2019 and Narthaka Nipuna by the Association of Bharatanatyam Artists of India (ABHAI) in 2020. He believes that art can reach the common man without any dilution of technique. In this way, an artist remains relevant to contemporary times and can nurture young minds through the power of art.