Mithun Shyam is a professional dancer based out of Bangalore, Karnataka. One of the few performing male dancers of the Vazhuvoor Bani of Bharatanatyam, he has grown into an established dancer of international caliber. His versatility and unique presentations have been a result of 23 years of dedicated hard work under the veteran Guru Smt Padmini Ramachandran. He is an 'A' graded artist of Doordarshan, New Delhi. Mithun has toured the US to perform for several dance festivals and cultural exchange programmes. He has also conducted workshops and lecture demonstrations on several occasions across India and Bangkok, Thailand. Recently, he also participated in the 4th International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage held at Chengdu, China, and the International Country Music Week Festival 2013 at Zhangjiajie, China under the aegis of the Prasiddha Repertory. He has also performed at the India International Center, New Delhi in the presence of stalwarts of the dance field. His other performances include festivals like 'Sharadotsava', 'Ankura', 'Bharatanatya Mahotsava', 'Samskrutika Sourabha', 'Lakkundi Festival', 'Yuvajanotsava', 'Kadambotsava', 'Shivali Festival', 'Bangalooru Habba', Hampi Utsav, Natyanjali at Chidambaram, Kumbakonam and Tanjore, Karthik Fine Arts at Narada Gana Sabha – Chennai, ICCR Horizon series Calcutta etc. His institute, Vaishnavi Natyashala, which he founded in 1998 is one of the most respected institutes in the Bangalore Cantonment area. Most of his students are recipients of several state and national level titles, scholarships and awards. Awards: 'Rashtriya Vikasa Rathna' 'Sathya Sai Sathbhavana Award' 'Pranava Mandara Prashasthi' 'Yuva Kala Prathibha'