Mohana Thulasi

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Mohana Thulasi is a distinguished Indian classical dancer and guru, proficient in Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and Mohiniyattam. Born in 1945, she embarked on her artistic journey at the tender age of ten, enrolling in the prestigious Kerala Kalamandalam in 1955. There, she received comprehensive training in all three classical dance forms. While she developed a strong foundation in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi held a special place in her heart, particularly after her marriage and having children. Mohana Thulasi had an active performing career in her youth, but she later shifted her focus from stage performances after having children. She is notably one of the fortunate disciples to have studied Kuchipudi under the legendary Natyakulaguru Padmabhushan Vempatti Chinna Sathyam. Her dedication to dance transitioned into a prolific teaching career, which began around 1964, marking over 55 years of imparting classical dance knowledge by 2019. She established her own dance school in Kaloor, Kochi, where she has nurtured numerous students, with her disciples now spread across the globe. Mohana Thulasi holds a nuanced perspective on dance, believing that specific body types are better suited for certain forms; she suggests that Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam are best performed by lean dancers, while Mohiniyattam benefits from a chubbier physique. She has expressed a disinterest in youth festivals as a platform for classical dance. Throughout her illustrious career, Mohana Thulasi has been recognized with several accolades, including the 'Gurupooja' award from the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy and the Kalasagar award in 2011. Her commitment to preserving and propagating Indian classical dance forms has cemented her status as a revered guru. Awards & Honours: Gurupooja award, Kalashri award, ISCRA award (1990), ISCRA award (1996), Honour, Kalasagar award (2011), Gurushreshta award.