Lakshmi Kannan

🪔 About

Guru Smt. Lakshmi Kannan is a distinguished exponent of Bharatanatyam and Kathak, and the Artistic Director of Jathiswaraalaya Academy of Dance and Music, an institution she has led for 29 years in Mylapore, Chennai, India. Her extensive training encompasses both classical Indian dance forms. In Bharatanatyam, she was fortunate to begin her training in the Vazhuvoor Pani under Kalaimamani Vazhuvoor Shri R. Samraj, the illustrious son of the stalwart Padmashri Vazhuvoor Shri Ramiah Pillai. She further received rigorous advanced training from the doyen Guru Natanakala Shironmani Dr. Smt. Kanchana Janardhanan, honed her rhythmic intricacies under Guru Vidwan Dr. Shri P.R. Venkata Subramanian, and learned Nattuvangam from Guru Kalaimamani Udupi Shri Laxminarayan, which collectively helped her blossom into a complete artiste. For Kathak, Lakshmi Kannan is a senior disciple of Prof. Shri Vijay Shankar Singh Bhadoria ji of Bhaat khade Sangeet Maha Vidyalay, Jabalpur, and also trained under Smt. Renuka Desai. This rigorous training made her confident in the Lucknow, Jaipur, and Raigarh Gharanas of Kathak Dance. Throughout her career, Lakshmi Kannan has delivered commendable performances at various prestigious events and venues, including Sneh Sammelan, Bhaat khade Sangeet Samaroh, Vishnu Digambar Samaroh in Jabalpur, Bharat Kalachar in Chennai, Bhaat khade Sangeet Vishwavidyalay in Khairagarh, and Shri Ratri Mahotsav in Bhilai. She also performed a Jugalbandhi with Thavil maestro Kalaimamani Haridwaramangalam Shri A.K. Palanivel for Pondicherry Doordarshan. Beyond her performance career, she is dedicated to imparting dance education to deserving aspirants in Kathak and Bharatanatyam through Jathiswaraalaya Academy, which was established in 1996. The academy aims to pass on the legacy of these two dance forms in a pure and undiluted way to the next generation. Lakshmi Kannan is also recognized as a dance critic, contributing to the Indian Express. She holds the title of 'Sangit Prabhakar' conferred by Prayag Sangit Samiti, Allahabad, and is graded by Doordarshan. Awards & Honours: Abhinaya Nrutyakala Mani, Natyakala Mayuri, Lifetime achievement award from Hindu Dharma Seva Parishad, Sathya Nrithya Sundaram, Nartana Gyanakeerthi, Acharya Kala Vipanchee, Sangit Prabhakar.