K. Venkatalakshamma

🪔 About

Dr. K. Venkatalakshamma (1906-2002) was a revered Bharatanatyam dancer and a doyenne of the Mysore Style, recognized as the last representative of the Mysore court tradition. Born on May 29, 1906, in Tangali Thanda, Kadur, Karnataka, she began her rigorous training at the age of eight under the tutelage of the renowned court dancer 'Natya Saraswati' Jatti Thayamma in Mysore. Her 'Ranga Pravesha' (debut performance) took place when she was twelve. Beyond dance, she also delved into music under Asthana Vidwans Dr. B. Devendrappa and C. Rama Rao, and Sanskrit from scholars like Devottama Jois, Shanta Shastry, and Giri Bhatta, performing with her guru for nearly three decades. In 1939, King Krishnarajendra Wodeyar IV appointed her as an "Asthana Vidushi" (royal court dancer), a prestigious position she held for an incredible 40 years, serving both Krishnarajendra Wodeyar IV and Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar. She is widely credited with elevating the Mysore style of Bharatanatyam to its zenith. After her extensive service at the palace, Venkatalakshamma established her own institution, Bharatiya Nritya Niketana, in Mysore. In 1965, she became the first Reader when the Faculty of Dance was founded at the University of Mysore, where she taught until her retirement in 1974. Her dedication to preserving and propagating the Mysore style through performance and teaching left an indelible mark on Indian classical dance. She passed away on July 1, 2002. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1964), Sangeeta Nritya Academy Award (1976), D.Litt. (Mysore University) (1977), Kannada Rajyotsava Award (1988), Sangeeta Kalaratna (Bangalore Gayana Samaja) (1989), Padma Bhushan (1992), Natyarani Shantala State Award (1995), Nadoja Award (University of Hampi) (2001).