Jayaprabha Menon

🪔 About

Jayaprabha Menon is a distinguished Mohiniyattam dancer, choreographer, and guru from New Delhi, India. Born in Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala, in 1967, she began her journey in Indian classical dance at the tender age of four, initiated into Bharatanatyam under Guru Kalamandalam Saraswathi at Nrityalaya, Kozhikode, where she also received training in Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi. She completed her education at Providence Girls High School, Malabar Christian College, and MES Women's College in Calicut, and holds a commerce degree from Calicut University. Menon's pursuit of excellence led her to advanced training in Mohiniyattam under Padma Shri Bharati Shivaji and mentorship from the eminent theatre personality and scholar Padma Bhushan Kavalam Narayana Panicker, who encouraged her to explore contemporary themes within the traditional framework of Mohiniyattam. She also honed her Bharatanatyam skills under Smt. and Shri C. V. Chandrasekhar. Her career saw her selected as a representative from Kerala for the Festival of India in the USSR in 1987, the same year she was graded by Doordarshan Kendra for both Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam. Known for her graceful Nritta and aesthetic presentations, Jayaprabha Menon is recognized for her innovative choreographic works in Mohiniyattam. She is the founder and director of the International Academy of Mohiniyattam (IAM) in New Delhi, an institution dedicated to promoting and nurturing young talent in the dance form. She is also an Empanelled Artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Her contributions to Indian classical dance have earned her numerous accolades, establishing her as a respected figure in the dance community. Awards & Honours: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (Kalashree) (2015), Empanelled Artist of ICCR (2005), Devadasi National Award (2013), Honorary PhD, Guru Samman (2024).