Vineetha Nedungadi

🪔 About

Vinitha Nedungadi is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, writer, and a leading exponent of Mohiniyattam, the classical dance form of Kerala. She is recognized for her innovative approach to Mohiniyattam, particularly her choreographies based on Malayalam poems. Vinitha received her traditional training in Mohiniyattam under esteemed gurus such as Kalamandalam Renganayaki, Ramakrishnan Nair, and Padmashri Kalamandalam Kshemavathy. She furthered her education by earning a Master's degree from Kerala Kalamandalam. Throughout her career, Nedungadi has significantly enriched the Mohiniyattam repertoire by adapting literary works from renowned poets like Edasseri, Vallathol, Ulloor, and Rabindranath Tagore into captivating dance productions. Notable choreographies include 'Poothappattu,' 'Anthithiri,' 'Kaalinatakam,' and 'Varsha Mohini,' which explores the nine moods of rain without traditional lyrics. She is also known for incorporating elements from other art forms, such as the 'kalaasa chollus' (syllables) used in Kathakali, into her Mohiniyattam choreographies. Beyond her performances and choreographic work, Vinitha Nedungadi is a dedicated researcher and author. She has penned a notable column titled 'Aattaprakasam' in Mathrubhumi Weekly and contributed numerous articles on various aspects of dance. Her contributions to the field also include 'Aaswadana Kalari,' a 12-episode YouTube series for dance enthusiasts, and 'Mohiniyatta Sekharam,' a comprehensive digital archive featuring performances and interviews of dancers across generations. She is a top-grade artist of Doordarshan and has been an empaneled member of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) since 2007. Vinitha Nedungadi is the chairman of Sree Sabha, a charitable and educational trust dedicated to the preservation, research, and propagation of various arts. Her excellence has been recognized with several prestigious accolades, including awards from the Central and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademies, the Kerala Kalamandalam Award, the inaugural 'Guru Kalamandalam Leelamma Award,' and the Kalasagar Award. Awards & Honours: Central Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award, Kerala Kalamandalam Award, Guru Kalamandalam Leelamma Award, Kalasagar Award, Sr. Fellowship, Jr. Fellowship.