Kum Kum Lal (nee Mathur)

🪔 About

Kumkum Lal (née Mathur), born in Gaya, Bihar, and raised in Delhi, is a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, primarily known for her contributions to Odissi. Her early dance education included Bharatanatyam at school, but her true calling emerged after witnessing Indrani Rehman's Odissi performance. She commenced her Odissi training under Guru Harekrishna Behera, subsequently becoming a devoted disciple of the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, with whom she maintained a close association for over four decades. Beyond Odissi, Lal also explored and performed creative dance under Narendra Sharma and Chhau under Guru Krishna Chandra Naik. Her career saw her serve as the head of the dance section at the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi. Kumkum Lal played a pivotal role in introducing and popularizing Odissi in Japan during her four-year residency there, where she taught and performed extensively. A significant event during this period was her hosting of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and renowned musicians like Pt. Bhubaneswar Mishra in Tokyo in 1986, for workshops and performances that further cemented Odissi's presence in Japan. Her dedication to the art form also led to her being awarded a senior fellowship by the Indian government to undertake research on a Sanskrit treatise on Odissi. After a hiatus from the main stage due to health considerations, Kumkum Lal has since resumed performing and conducting lecture demonstrations, continuing to share her profound knowledge and artistry. She also held a position teaching English at Delhi University. Awards & Honours: Senior Fellowship.