Natyacharya K. Muralidhar Rao

🪔 About

Natyacharya K. Muralidhar Rao, born in Kasaragod, was a distinguished Indian classical dance guru, choreographer, and writer, whose 98th birthday would have been on August 2nd. He dedicated his life to the pursuit of arts, particularly Indian classical dance. Rao initially trained in Kathakali under the tutelage of doyen Rajan Ayer, performing in over 200 Kathakali stage shows across Karnataka. He later developed a profound interest in Bharatanatyam after witnessing a recital by Rajaratnam Pillai. This led him to Chennai, where he trained in the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam under gurus Rajaratnam Pillai and Chokalingam Pillai. At the age of 47, he achieved first rank in the Vidwath Bharatanatyam exam conducted by the State Board. Throughout his extensive career, Muralidhar Rao was known for his unique choreographies and his dedication to individual student training, rather than mass classes. He founded the dance school Nrityaksharam, through which he propagated the Pandanallur style. He also served as a chief resource advisor for Bharatanatyam textbooks published by the Government of Karnataka. His artistic endeavors extended internationally, as he toured Europe multiple times with his troupe and French disciple Manochhaya Katia Légeret, presenting performances and delivering talks on Indian classical dance on German radio. A prolific writer, he authored over 100 articles on art and dance, and a dance book titled 'Nrithya Loka'. He was described as a "living legend and master of fine arts" and an "institution in himself." Awards & Honours: Karnataka Kala Tilaka, Natyarani Shanthala Prashasti (Shanthala Award), Rajyotsava Prashasti (Rajyotsava Award) (2016), Sangeetha Nrithya Academy Award.