Yamini Krishnamurthy | |
|---|---|
 Krishnamurthy in 2014 | |
| Born | (1940-12-20)20 December 1940 |
| Died | 3 August 2024(2024-08-03) (aged 83) New Delhi, India |
| Known for | Indian Classical Dance |
| Movement | Bharatnatyam,Kuchipudi |
| Awards | Padma Shri (1968),Padma Bhushan (2001),Padma Vibhushan (2016) andSangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977) |
Mungara Yamini Krishnamurthy (20 December 1940 – 3 August 2024) was an Indian classical dancer recognized for her contributions toBharatanatyam andKuchipudi. She was a recipient of thePadma Shri (1968),Padma Bhushan (2001),Padma Vibhushan (2016) andSangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977).[1][2][3]
Krishnamurthy was born on 20 December 1940 inMadanapalli, in the present-dayChittoor district, of the Indian state ofAndhra Pradesh. Her father, M. Krishnamurthy, was a Sanskrit scholar. She began her dance training at the age of five at theKalakshetra School of Dance inMadras (present-day Chennai), under the guidance of Bharatanatyam danseuseRukmini Devi Arundale. After mastering the basic skills, she went on to study under renowned dancers such as Kanchipuram Ellappa Pillai and Thanjavur Kittappa Pillai.[4][5]
Krishnamurthy would, in later interviews credit her growing up inTamil Nadu and the local cultural environment, including theThillai Nataraja Temple inChidambaram as inspirations for her art.[6]
Krishnamurthy started her dance career with aBharatanatyam performance in Madras in 1957.[7] Some of herGurus during this period includedKanchipuram Ellappa Pillai, Kittappa Pillai, Dhandayuthapani Pillai, andMylapore Gowri Ammal.[6] Though she started with Bharatnatyam, Krishnamurthy expanded her skills to includeKuchipudi andOdissi dance forms. She is noted to have popularized these dance forms in North India in the 1960s when she relocated to Delhi.[6] After one of her performances in the national capital, the visiting Canadian prime ministerPierre Trudeau is noted to have gone to the stage, held her hands and remarked, "Keep dancing. Don't stop. Just keep dancing".[8] In addition to the country, her performances took her to other countries, including the US, the UK, the then USSR, Thailand, Iran and Pakistan.[9]
In recognition of her contributions, she was appointed as theAsthana Nartaki (transl. resident dancer) of theTirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.[6] She set up her dance training institute, Yamini School of Dance, inHauz Khas in New Delhi.[10]
Krishnamurthy was a recipient of thePadma Shri (1968),Padma Bhushan (2001), andPadma Vibhushan (2016) and theSangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977).[5][11][12] She also received theNatya Shastra award from theShambhavi School of Dance in 2014.[13][14][15]
Krishnamurthy published her autobiography,A Passion for Dance, in 1995.[16][17]
Krishnamurthy died on 3 August 2024 inNew Delhi, at the age of 83.[18]
