Kamini Manikam

🪔 About

Kamini Manikam is an accomplished Bharatanatyam artiste of international repute, choreographer, imagineer, producer, director, and educator, hailing from Malaysia. Born into a family deeply rooted in music and dance, her great-grandfather, Mr. Chinnayya, was a dramatist and actor in pre-independent Malaya, and her grandmother, Mrs. Amaravathi Govindaraju, was the first female artiste to perform 'Kathakalatshebam' in Malaysia. Kamini began her dance journey at the tender age of three, receiving her primary training in the Tanjavur style of Bharatanatyam from her mother, Srimathi Indira Manikam, and her aunt, Mrs. Kamala Ramachandran. Her mother and aunt co-founded the Tanjai Kamalaa Indira Dance School in 1966, which is recognized by the Malaysia Book of Records as the 'Longest Operating Dance School in Malaysia'. Manikam has performed in over 350 shows, both locally and internationally, in countries such as India, Spain, Turkey, Mauritius, Australia, and Singapore. Her performances are noted for their joyous feel, vibrant movements, and expressive 'Abhinaya' (facial expressions) that effectively communicate with diverse audiences. She is known for her innovative approach, often experimenting with new concepts and ideas, including cross-collaborative performances like Bharatanatyam and Beatbox. As an educator, she emphasizes a holistic approach to teaching Bharatanatyam, guiding students to connect with their emotions and express themselves deeply, rather than just focusing on physical movements. She also founded "LIPSTICK: Celebrating Life as ONE" to propagate compassionate values through dance and music. Awards & Honours: Nrithya Vilaasini, Nrithya Kala Vedika, Aadal Nanggai, Nattya Sironmani, Most Promising Artiste Award (Nominated) (2007), WFTM Global Award – Entertainment Category (2013), Women Icons Malaysia Award (2018).