About Us

Gaana Bhushanam Smt. Ambika Thamotheram is an internationally acclaimed artist known for her mastery in Carnatic music, Pannisai, Mellisai, and Dance music.

After relocating to the UK in 1989, she recognized the absence of structured examinations for fine arts students. This initiative eventually led to the founding of the Oriental Examination Board London (OEBL) in 2003, an independent institution dedicated to fine arts assessments. In addition to her work with OEBL, she served as a music instructor in government schools for over 20 years.

Smt. Ambika has also worked as a contract producer for a broadcasting corporation, during which she produced a children’s radio program that won a silver medal at an international competition in Tokyo, Japan. A super-grade artist in Pannisai, she has been a regular performer on both radio and television, particularly in Carnatic music.

Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors and awards from the Cultural Ministry. She has represented Tamil art and culture at several global events, including the 6th International Tamil Conference in Kuala Lumpur (1986), the World Hindu Conference in Nepal (1987) hosted by King Birendra, and the 8th World Tamil Conference in Tanjore (1995), hosted by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Notably, in February 2000, she was invited to perform at the Millennium Celebrations in Vatican City before Pope John Paul II.

In 1979, she received training in Nattuvangam under the esteemed Guru Adyar K. Laxmanan and collaborated with him on numerous performances in Sri Lanka and India, earning her the title “Natya Kokila Vaani”. She has rendered vocals and performed Nattuvangam for hundreds of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi arangetrams and stage performances across major cities worldwide. A talented composer, Smt. Ambika has written lyrics and music for dance dramas and released vocal music cassettes, children’s songs, and dance music CDs. She currently serves as the Managing Director of OEBL, continuing her lifelong dedication to the promotion and education of fine arts.