Pallavi Krishnan

🪔 About

Pallavi Krishnan is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, primarily recognized as a leading exponent of Mohiniyattam. Born on September 21, 1968, in Durgapur, West Bengal, her journey into classical dance began with initial training in Kathakali and Mohiniyattam under Guru Kalamandalam Sankaranarayanan at Santiniketan. She also pursued a B. Music in dance (Kathakali) from Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan. Her profound passion for Mohiniyattam led her to Kerala Kalamandalam for advanced training, making her the first Bengali to learn Mohiniyattam from this pioneering institution. She furthered her academic pursuits by earning an M.A. in Mohiniyattam from Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University. Krishnan also received advanced training under eminent gurus such as Bharati Shivaji and Kalamandalam Sugandhi, and is also mentioned to have trained under Kalamandalam Leelamma and Kalamandalam Kshemavati. Since 1992, Pallavi Krishnan has resided in Thrissur, Kerala, dedicating her life to the art form. In 1994, she founded the Lasya Akademi of Mohiniyattam in Thrissur, serving as its Artistic Director. The academy is a prominent center for the promotion and professional training of Mohiniyattam, attracting students globally. She began choreographing in Mohiniyattam in 2000, developing a distinctive style marked by creativity in both technique (adavu) and expression (abhinaya). Her choreographies encompass both solo and group performances, enriching the Mohiniyattam repertoire. Krishnan is an empanelled artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and a Top-Graded artist at Doordarshan. She has performed and conducted workshops and lecture demonstrations of Mohiniyattam extensively across India and internationally, including at prestigious festivals like Khajuraho, Konark, Ananya, and Soorya. Her contributions to Mohiniyattam have been widely acclaimed by renowned dance critics. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2022), Kerala Kalamandalam Award (2020), Kerala State Sangeeta Nataka Akademi Award (2008), Sushree Award, National Scholarship for higher studies in Mohiniyattam, Junior Fellowship (1998), Senior Fellowship (2009).