Bharathanatyam Guru and the Art of Classical Dance
Famous Bharatanatyam Gurus include pioneers such as Rukmini Devi Arundale (revitalized the form), Balasaraswati (legendary exponent) and Meenakshisundaram Pillai (Pandanallur style) along with important teachers like Padma Subrahmanyam , Yamini Krishnamurthy , Alarmel Valli , Chitra Visweswaran and contemporary masters like Geeta Chandran Art is shaping the world for the next generation.
Iconic Pioneers & Legends
- Rukmini Devi Arundale Introduced Bharatanatyam into the global community, and established Kalakshetra.
- T. Balasaraswati: A classic fan for the old-fashioned style. an absolute icon.
- Meenakshisundaram Pillai: The main figure who established his Pandanallur ban (style)
- K. Venkatalakshamma K. Venkatalakshamma: A Mysore court dancer, a significant teacher, Padma Bhushan recipient.
Influential Contemporary Gurus & Dancers
- Padma Subrahmanyam: Renowned for her distinctive style and her scholarship.
- Alarmel Valli is renowned for her refined and elegant interpretations.
- Chitra Visweswaran is a renowned teacher and advocate of the Vazhuvoor style.
- Geeta Chandran is a singer, dancer and a champion of the art of dance, highlighting its relevance to the present.
- Sonal Mansingh is a formidable dancer and teacher in both Odissi as well as Bharatanatyam.
- Leela Samson, former chief of Kalakshetra well-known for her disciplined style of conduct.
- Yamini Krishnamurthy A skilled actor and teacher in Bharatanatyam as well as Kuchipudi.
Key Figures in Specific Styles/Regions
- H.R. Keshava Murthy established Keshava Nrityashala located in Bangalore and propagated the art of Karnataka.
- Guru C.V. Chandrasekhar: A major force, particularly in Banaras in instructing numerous.
PADMA SUBRAHMANYAM
Compiled by Lalitha Venkat
The daughter of K. Subrahmanyam and Meenakshi, Padma Subrahmanyam (Director, Nrityodaya, Chennai, India) is widely regarded as an exceptional combination of dancer, choreographer, researcher and music educator, composer, singer as well as an author and Indologist as well as one of the best performers of our time. Her father director K. Subrahmanyam was an international renowned filmmaker as well as a freedom fighter and prominent figure in the field of culture. She was the mother. Meenakshi composed music, poet who wrote lyrics in Sanskrit along with Tamil as well as an instrumentist playing the veena harmonium, and violin.
She performed in the presence of her guru, at her school, and continued her education at college. Padma holds a bachelor’s degree in Music, a Master’s degree in Ethno Musicology and Ph.D in dance. Her musical training was conducted by the renowned B.V. Lakshman and Salil Chaudhry.
🎭 Career and Achievements
She began learning Bharatanatyam at an early age, and performed the first show (arangetram) at the age of 56.has degrees, including an undergraduate degree in music, a Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology and an Ph.D. for her research on the 108 Karanas mentioned by the Natya Shastra, linking classical texts with dance.
Through her studies she rediscovered and created an art form dubbed Bharata Nrithyam which combines theories, history and the art ofShe has published numerous books and academic pieces regarding dance and cultural.
She also created art pieces of the 108 Karanas for the Nataraja Temple at Satara.
🏆 Honors and Awards
Padma Subrahmanyam has received some of India’s most prestigious civilian awards which include:
- Padma Vibhushan (highest after Bharat Ratna) in 2024 for her lifetime contribution to the arts and culture.
- Padma Bhushan (2003) and Padma Shri (1981).
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1983) and Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu.
- Fukuoka Asia Cultural Award of Japan.
She is regarded as to be a legend of Indian classical dance. Her work combines performance with thorough research, pedagogy and academic scholarship, impacting generations of dancers across India and across the globe.
Rajasree
Guru Rajasree is a respected Bharatanatyam instructor and exponent who is who is known for her dedication to the classical tradition and her strict training. Her journey began through Bharatanatyam under the guidance of renowned gurus, developing a solid base in adavus, adavus and abhinaya. As an actor, her performances convey elegance, clarity and expressive depth that is grounded in the tradition of margam. As a guru Rajasree has taught a variety of students, taking them from beginning technique to advanced repertoire, and making them ready for arangetram or stage performance. Her method of teaching is based on authenticity as well as consistency and the importance of cultural values, which makes her a major player in the protection and development of Bharatanatyam.
Through her role as choreographer and guru Rajasree has significantly contributed to the development and development Bharatanatyam as a live traditional tradition. She believes in fostering not just talented dancers, but also those who appreciate the spiritual, cultural and artistic complexities of this art form.
The story of Bharatanatyam Guru Rajasree shows her dedication to discipline, art and the tradition. Through her performances and teaching, she plays a significant role in the preservation of Bharatanatyam and passing on its rich legacy to the next generation.
Rukmini Devi Arundale
Rukmini Devi Arundale (nee Sastri; 29 February 1904 – 24 February 1986)[1 was a Indian theosophist, choreographer and dancer in Bharatanatyam, the Indian classic dance type Bharatanatyam as well as an activist for the welfare of animals.
The one of the first women in Indian historical records to have been elected to the Rajya Sabha the upper House that is part of the Parliament of India. The most significant reviver of Bharatanatyam from its’sadhir style that was popular among dancers from the temple, known as among the Devadasis and the Devadasis, she also worked to restore traditional Indian crafts and arts.
Awards and honours
1955, Rukmini Devi Arundale was elected Vice President of International Vegetarian Union, IVU
- Padma Bhushan (1956)
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1957)
- Desikothama (1972), Viswa Bharati University
- 1967 Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
- Prani Mitra (1968), Friend of All Animals, (Animal Welfare Board of India)
- Kalidas Samman (1984), Govt of Madhya Pradesh
- D. Lit. (Honoris Causa), Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh
- Queen Victoria Silver Medal, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, London
- Addition to the roll of honour by The World Federation for the Protection of animals, The Hague
- Honorary Doctorate, Wayne State University, United States
- Scrolls of Honour, County and City of Los Angeles
In 2016 Google celebrated Rukmini Devi on her birthday, 112 years old, by presenting her with the release of a Doodle,and at the end of June, of the year 80 for the Kalakshetra Foundation held, ‘Remembering Rukmini Devi’, a festival of dancing and dance.Google also included Rukmini Devi in its Google Doodle for 2017. Google Doodle for International Women’s Day
Adyar K Lakshman
Adyar K. Lakshman (16 December 1933 to 19th August 2014)was a renowned Indian Bharatnatyam dancer as well as choreographer and guru.
Born on the 16th of December, 1933. Adyar K. Lakshman comes from Kuppam in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The father of his son, Krishnaraja Rao, was assigned to the school as a teacher. Lakshman as well as his younger twin brother Rama Rao were discovered at an early old age, by P.D. Doraiswamy Iyer, a representative of Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale The creator of the renowned Fine Arts College Kalakshetra. The boys of the school showed extraordinary aptitude for rhythm and music and were provided with an extensive education in Fine Arts. Lakshman’s dad was pleased to accept the offer offered by Kalakshetra.
Lakshman’s first teaching venture was outside of Kalakshetra at Vyjayantimala Bali‘s school, Natyalaya. In the course that spanned more than 10 years, he conducted more than ten arangetrams and was involved in productions such as “Tiruppavai”, “Azhagar Kuravanji”, “Chandalika” and “Sanga Tamil Malai”.
Awards
Adyar Lakshman has been awarded numerous distinctions for his contributions in the field of Bharatha Nayam, as a choreographer, dance teacher composer, composer, and Nattuvanar. He was awarded an award called the Padma Shri award from the president of India in 1989. He also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Bharatnatyam) in 1991 from Sangeet Natak Akademi which is Indian’s National Academy of Music Dance & Drama
Bharatanatyam Gurus have played a crucial role in the preservation and enriching this classic dance form. By their dedication to discipline, discipline, and creative vision, they have handed down the traditions while also educating the next generation. They continue to influence dancers around the world to keep Bharatanatyam lively beautiful, meaningful, and timeless.
Bharatanatyam Gurus are the foundation of this art form. Through their dedication to teaching and discipline as well as tradition they protect the purity of Bharatanatyam and encourage future generations to preserve its timeless appeal of Bharatanatyam.