Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma (1915 – 1999) was an epoch-making Mohiniyattam dancer and researcher from Kerala, India, widely revered as the "Mother of Mohiniyattam" for her pivotal role in resurrecting and systematizing the dance form. Born in Thirunavaya, Malappuram district, to Panangad Govinda Menon and Karingamana Sreedevi Amma, she received early training in music and Sanskrit. Her journey into dance began in 1937 when she joined Kerala Kalamandalam, initially for Kathakali, but soon became enamored by Mohiniyattam. She trained in Mohiniyattam under Korattikkara Appuredatt Krishna Panicker and in Kathakali under Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon. After her graduation in 1940, she was invited to teach Mohiniyattam in Chennai and Gujarat. In the same year, she married the Kathakali maestro Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair. Together, they founded the dance school Kerala Kalalayam in 1952, where various classical dance forms were taught. Kalyanikutty Amma was instrumental in transforming Mohiniyattam from a near-extinct state into a mainstream classical dance by providing it with formal structure and ornamentation. She reformed the recital with seven different items, crystallized 32 Adavus (basic units of dance), composed Chollus, and choreographed new pieces like Charis and the reconstructed Saptham. Her style became known as the 'Kalyanikutty Amma Style of Mohiniyattam'. She authored the seminal book "Mohiniyattam: Charithravum Aattaprakaravum" (Mohiniyattam: History and Dance Structure) in 1992, which remains a key reference text. She passed away on May 12, 1999, in Tripunithura, at the age of 84. Awards & Honours: Kavayithri (1940), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1974), Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1978), Keerthi Shanku (1980), Nritta Praveena (1984), Kerala Sahitya Academy award (1985), Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship (1986), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (1992), Kalidasa Samman.