Dancing through time

🪔 About

Lakshmi Viswanathan (1944-2023) was a celebrated Indian Bharatanatyam artiste, scholar, and writer, renowned as Nritya Kalanidhi. Born on January 12, 1944, in Bangalore, British India, she passed away on January 20, 2023, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Her extensive training in Bharatanatyam began under Guru Kausalya of the Vazhuvoor Ramaiya Pillai school, followed by tutelage from Guru Kanchipuram Ellappa Pillai, Courtalam Ganesa Pillai, and Sankari Krishnan of the Thanjavur Kittappa Pillai school. She also received training in Carnatic music and Kuchipudi dance. Viswanathan emerged as a leading exponent of Bharatanatyam, performing widely in India and internationally. Her performances were noted for their elegance, expressive abhinaya, and innovative choreography for group productions. A respected scholar, she authored four acclaimed books: 'Bharatanatyam the Tamil Heritage,' 'Women of Pride - The Devadasi Heritage,' 'Kapaliswara Temple,' and 'Kunjamma - Ode to a Nightingale.' She contributed extensively to journals, newspapers, and dance portals, and her erudite lectures, captivating demonstrations, and masterclasses were highly popular. She also held the esteemed position of editor at the Kalakshetra Journal and served as Vice President of the Music Academy (Chennai). Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2008), Nritya Kalanidhi (2011), Kalaimamani, Nritya Choodamani, Kalidas Samman (2018).