Yamini Krishnamurthy (20 December 1940 – 3 August 2024) was one of India’s most celebrated classical dancers, renowned for her mastery and promotion of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. Her pioneering work brought these traditional dance forms from the temple courtyards of South India to the national and international stage, inspiring generations of dancers and audiences alike.
Birth: Born in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, to a Telugu family; her father, M. Krishnamurthy, was a Sanskrit scholar.
Training: Began learning Bharatanatyam at age five at Kalakshetra, Chennai, under Rukmini Devi Arundale. She later trained with eminent gurus such as Kanchipuram Ellappa Pillai, Thanjavur Kittappa Pillai, and Dhandayuthapani Pillai. She also studied Kuchipudi under Vedantam Lakshmi Narayana Shastri and others, and learned Odissi from Pankaj Charan Das and Kelucharan Mahapatra.
Debut: First public performance in 1957 in Madras (now Chennai).Rise to Fame: Quickly became a leading figure in Indian classical dance, known for her dynamic stage presence and technical brilliance. She was instrumental in popularizing Bharatanatyam and especially Kuchipudi in North India during the 1960s.
International Recognition: Performed extensively across India and abroad, including the US, UK, USSR, Thailand, Iran, and Pakistan.
Asthana Nartaki: Appointed as the resident dancer of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.
Teaching: Founded the Yamini School of Dance in Delhi in 1990 to train the next generation of dancers.
Padma Shri (1968)
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977)
Padma Bhushan (2001)
Padma Vibhushan (2016)
Yamini Krishnamurthy is remembered as a torchbearer of Indian classical dance, particularly for her role in elevating Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam to national prominence. Her artistry, teaching, and advocacy have left an indelible mark on Indian culture and the global appreciation of its dance traditions.
Died: 3 August 2024, New Delhi, India, at the age of 83.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Description
Yamini Krishnamurthy (20 December 1940 – 3 August 2024) was one of India’s most celebrated classical dancers, renowned for her mastery and promotion of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. Her pioneering work brought these traditional dance forms from the temple courtyards of South India to the national and international stage, inspiring generations of dancers and audiences alike. Birth: Born in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, to a Telugu family; her father, M. Krishnamurthy, was a Sanskrit scholar. Training: Began learning Bharatanatyam at age five at Kalakshetra, Chennai, under Rukmini Devi Arundale. She later trained with eminent gurus such as Kanchipuram Ellappa Pillai, Thanjavur Kittappa Pillai, and Dhandayuthapani Pillai. She also studied Kuchipudi under Vedantam Lakshmi Narayana Shastri and others, and learned Odissi from Pankaj Charan Das and Kelucharan Mahapatra. Debut: First public performance in 1957 in Madras (now Chennai).Rise to Fame: Quickly became a leading figure in Indian classical dance, known for her dynamic stage presence and technical brilliance. She was instrumental in popularizing Bharatanatyam and especially Kuchipudi in North India during the 1960s. International Recognition: Performed extensively across India and abroad, including the US, UK, USSR, Thailand, Iran, and Pakistan. Asthana Nartaki: Appointed as the resident dancer of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. Teaching: Founded the Yamini School of Dance in Delhi in 1990 to train the next generation of dancers. Padma Shri (1968) Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977) Padma Bhushan (2001) Padma Vibhushan (2016) Yamini Krishnamurthy is remembered as a torchbearer of Indian classical dance, particularly for her role in elevating Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam to national prominence. Her artistry, teaching, and advocacy have left an indelible mark on Indian culture and the global appreciation of its dance traditions. Died: 3 August 2024, New Delhi, India, at the age of 83.