K. Venkatalakshmamma

🪔 About

K. Venkatalakshmamma (1906-2002) was a highly renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and a leading exponent of the Mysore style, considered the last representative of the Mysore court tradition. Born on May 29, 1906, in Tangali Thanda (now Venkata Lakshamma Nagara), Kadur, Karnataka, she hailed from a Lambani family. At the age of eight, her grandparents brought her to Mysore to train under the esteemed 'Natya Saraswati' Jatti Thayamma, a court dancer, in the traditional gurukula system. She also received training in Carnatic music from Chikka Rama Rao and B. Devendrappa, and Sanskrit from Asthana Vidwans Devottama Jois, Shanta Shastry, and Giri Bhatta. Venkatalakshmamma made her 'Ranga Pravesha' (debut performance) at the age of twelve and performed with her guru for nearly three decades. Her illustrious career saw her appointed as "Asthana Vidushi" (royal court dancer) by King Krishnarajendra Wodeyar IV in 1939. She served the Mysore palace for an incredible 40 years, under both Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar, the last of the Mysore rulers. In 1965, she became the first Reader when the Faculty of Dance was established at the University of Mysore, where she taught for nine years until her retirement in 1974. After her extensive service at the palace, Venkatalakshmamma founded her own institution, Bharatiya Nritya Niketana, and also served as a dance teacher and Principal at various institutes, including the Nupura School of Bharatanatyam in Bangalore. She trained over a hundred students from India and abroad, dedicating her life to preserving and propagating the Mysore style of Bharatanatyam, which emphasizes intricate abhinaya and graceful jathis. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1964), Sangeeta Nritya Academy Award (1976), D.Litt. from Mysore University (1977), Kannada Rajyotsava Award (1988), Sangeeta Kalaratna from Bangalore Gayana Samaja (1989), Padma Bhushan (1992), Natyarani Shantala State Award (1995), Nadoja Award from University of Hampi (2001).