Bhaskar and Radha Menon

🪔 About

Radha Bhaskar Menon, born on September 28, 1948, was a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, co-founding the Mudra School of Indian Classical Dances in Ahmedabad, India, in 1973 with her husband and fellow artiste, Bhaskar Menon. Raised in the Gurukul tradition, Radha Bhaskar Menon was the daughter of revered Gurus Krishna Panickker and Gauri Panickker, and she diligently carried forward their legacy. Her artistic foundation was deeply rooted in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, and Kathakali. Before co-founding Mudra, Bhaskar Menon was actively involved in Gujarat's cultural scene through Darpana. The couple's vision for Mudra was to make classical dance accessible to all individuals with an inclination and passion for the art, rather than restricting it to a certain class. The institution, inaugurated on August 27, 1973, by the former Governor of Gujarat, Late Shri K.K. Vishwanathan, became a prominent name in promoting and performing classical dances in Gujarat. Mudra School is recognized for teaching four classical dance forms—Bharatanatyam (Pandanallur style), Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, and Kathakali—in their purest forms under one roof. Radha Bhaskar Menon, affectionately known as Radha chechi, taught with precision, emphasizing the meaning in every movement and expression, while also nurturing her students with tenderness and encouragement. She passed away on May 22, 2025. The Mudra School has trained approximately 16,000 students since its inception and continues its legacy through a new generation of gurus.