U.S. Krishna Rao

🪔 About

Professor U.S. Krishna Rao, born Ubhayakar Shivaram Krishna Rao on December 31, 1912, in Mallapura, Karnataka, India, was a revered figure in Indian classical dance, particularly Bharatanatyam. A man of diverse talents, he initially pursued an M.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Mysore and worked as a lecturer, even captaining the Bangalore United Cricket Club. His journey into dance began in 1939, initially learning the Mysore school of Bharatanatyam under Guru Kolar Puttappa. He further expanded his repertoire by studying Kathakali from Guru Kunju Kurup in 1941-42. A pivotal moment in his artistic development came in 1943 when he, along with his wife and dance partner Chandrabhaga Devi, received extensive training in the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam under the legendary Pandanallur Meenakshisundaram Pillai in Thanjavur. Defying societal norms of the time, as it was uncommon for Brahmins to pursue Bharatanatyam professionally, Krishna Rao and Chandrabhaga Devi became a pioneering dance couple. They established their dance institution, Maha Maya, in Bangalore in 1942, dedicated to training students in Bharatanatyam. Their teaching legacy extended globally, with numerous disciples achieving international acclaim. The duo performed extensively across India and abroad, choreographing significant dance-dramas such as 'The Temptation of Buddha', 'Rani Shantala', 'Geeta Govinda', and 'Kama Dahana'. They were also instrumental in popularizing lecture-demonstrations on dance from the 1940s, making the art form more accessible. Prof. Krishna Rao's contributions extended beyond performance and teaching. He served as an honorary Professor of Dance at Bangalore University from 1973 to 1977. A prolific author, he penned several influential books on dance in both Kannada and English, including 'Adhunika Bharatadalli Nritya Kale', 'Bharata Natya Nighantu', 'A Dictionary of Bharata Natya', and 'A Panorama of Indian Dances'. He was also an accomplished musician, proficient in the flute, tabla, and harmonium, and trained many vocalists and instrumentalists for dance accompaniment. His dedication to the art was recognized with numerous accolades, including the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987, the Rajyotsava Award, the Shantala Award, and the E. Krishna Iyer Medal in 2002. Prof. U.S. Krishna Rao passed away on March 6, 2005, in Bangalore, leaving behind a profound legacy in Indian classical dance. Awards & Honours: Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987), Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy award, Nritya Kala Siromani, Rajyotsava Award, Shantala Award, E. Krishna Iyer Medal (2002), Mysore Government state award, Karnataka Nritya Kala Parishat recognition.