R. L. V. Ramakrishnan

🪔 About

Dr. R. L. V. Ramakrishnan is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, scholar, and film actor from Chalakudy, Kerala, renowned for his significant contributions to Mohiniyattam, a dance form traditionally dominated by women. Born in Chalakudy, he is the younger brother of the late actor Kalabhavan Mani. Ramakrishnan embarked on his classical dance journey at the age of 10 under the tutelage of Guru RLV Anand Master. He pursued extensive academic training, completing a Diploma and Post-Diploma with First Class honors from RLV College, Tripunithura. He further earned a Master's degree in Mohiniyattam with a First Rank from Mahatma Gandhi University and an M.Phil. in performing arts from Kerala Kalamandalam. In 2019, he was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mohiniyattam from Kerala Kalamandalam, with his doctoral research, "Masculine Heritage in Dance: An Enquiry Based on Mohiniyattam," exploring the role of male dancers in the art form. Dr. Ramakrishnan is a qualified UGC-NET scholar in Performing Arts and holds an "A Top" grade from Doordarshan Kendra. He has been performing Mohiniyattam since 1998 and has served as a guest lecturer in Mohiniyattam at RLV College and Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, for over 15 years. In a historic move in January 2025, he was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Bharatanatyam at Kerala Kalamandalam, becoming the institution's first male Bharatanatyam teacher. He has also earned an M.A. in Bharatanatyam with a Second Rank. Beyond his performances, Dr. Ramakrishnan is an advocate for gender inclusivity in classical dance, having faced and spoken out against caste and gender discrimination within the arts, including a notable controversy in 2020 with the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and derogatory remarks from another dancer in 2024. He runs the Kunissery Raman Smaraka Kalanilayam dance school in Chalakudy, founded by his brother in their father's memory, which trains approximately 150 students. Awards & Honours: Kalaprathibha (2001), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2021), Kerala Kshetra Kala Puraskaram, Devadasi Puraskar, CCRT Senior Fellowship (National) in Mohiniyattam.