Manju Warrier

🪔 About

Manju Warrier is a prominent Indian artist, widely recognized for her acting career in Malayalam and Tamil cinema, who is also a professional and acclaimed classical dancer. Born on September 10, 1978 or 1979, in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, her family hails from Pullu, Thrissur district, Kerala, where she currently resides. Warrier began her journey in classical dance at the tender age of four, receiving training in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, and Kuchipudi. Her early Bharatanatyam training was in the Kalakshetra style. During her school years, she was a dance prodigy, winning the prestigious Kalathilakam title twice at the fiercely competitive Kerala School Kalolsavam (Youth Festival), under the tutelage of guru N.V. Krishnan. After a significant hiatus from public performances, Manju Warrier made a celebrated return to the stage in 2012 with a Kuchipudi recital at the Navaratri Nritha Mandapam in the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple. Following this comeback, she dedicated herself more seriously to Kuchipudi, studying under Geetha Padmakumar, who teaches in the Vempati Chinna Satyam style. She actively performs in various classical dance programs and plays, showcasing her refined skills. Her notable performances include a Kuchipudi recital at the Nishagandhi Festival in Thiruvananthapuram in 2013, a captivating performance at the Amritavarsham 60 celebrations in 2013, and another Kuchipudi recital at the Soorya music and dance festival in Thiruvananthapuram in 2018. In recognition of her contributions to classical dance, Manju Warrier was honored with the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Kuchipudi in 2014, making her the first person to receive this specific award for the dance form. While primarily known as an actress, her consistent classical dance performances and state-level recognition firmly establish her as a respected figure in the Indian classical dance landscape. Awards & Honours: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2014), Kalathilakam.