Kalamandalam Leelama

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Leelamma (c. 1952 – June 15, 2017) was a prominent Indian classical dancer, teacher, and choreographer, primarily recognized for her contributions to Mohiniyattam. Born in Mattakkara, Kottayam district, Kerala, she began her intensive Mohiniyattam studies at Kerala Kalamandalam in the early 1970s, having previously received classical dance lessons from a local guru. She trained under esteemed Mohiniyattam maestros such as Kalamandalam Satyabhama and Kalamandalam Chandrika, and also studied Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. Leelamma's career at Kerala Kalamandalam was extensive, starting as an instructor in 1973 and later becoming the head of the Mohiniyattam department and a professor in 1998. She also served as the campus director of Kalamandalam deemed university and worked as a reader in Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, from 1995 to 1998. After retiring from Kerala Kalamandalam in March 2007, she continued to be associated with the institution as a visiting professor. Beyond her institutional roles, Leelamma founded her own institute, Swathi Chitra, in Atthani, Thrissur district, to conduct research and impart training in Mohiniyattam. She was an 'A Top Artist' of Doordarshan and an ICCR panel member for international performances. Leelamma was known for her innovative approach, developing over 80 new steps (adavus) and choreographing around 100 new items, including adaptations of famous Malayalam poems and mythological stories, thereby expanding the emotional and thematic scope of Mohiniyattam. Her contributions were instrumental in shaping the "Kalamandalam style" of Mohiniyattam. Leelamma performed extensively in India and abroad, participating in numerous national and international dance festivals. She passed away on June 15, 2017, at the age of 65. In May 2023, her children, Dr. Krishna Priya and Krishna Prasad, founded the Kalamandalam Leelamma Memorial Cultural Trust to preserve and promote her legacy. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1997), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2008), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1990), Kalamandalam Award (2007), Keraleeya Nirthya Natya Award, Natyamohini, Natyashree, Natyabharathi, Senior Fellowship, Fellowship, Mahakavi O.N.V Kurup Endowment for Mohiniyattam, Guinness Record (2006).