Sitaradevi Sukhdev

🪔 About

Sitara Devi, born Dhanlakshmi on November 8, 1920, in Calcutta, was an iconic Indian classical dancer renowned for her mastery of the Kathak style. Her father, Pandit Sukhdev Maharaj, a Vaishnavite Sanskrit scholar and a pioneer of the Banaras Gharana of Kathak, was her first guru, imparting to her the intricate traditions of the dance form. Her mother was Matsya Kumari, who hailed from the royal family of Nepal. Sitara Devi also received training from other Kathak stalwarts, including Achchan Maharaj, Shambhu Maharaj, and Lachchu Maharaj of the Lucknow Gharana. A child prodigy, she began performing solo by the age of ten. At just eleven, after her family moved to Bombay (now Mumbai), she captivated an audience that included Rabindranath Tagore, Sarojini Naidu, and Sir Cowasji Jehangir. Tagore, deeply impressed by her performance, bestowed upon her the title "Nritya Samragni," meaning the Empress of Dance. Throughout her illustrious career, Sitara Devi performed at prestigious venues globally, including the Royal Albert Hall in London (1967) and Carnegie Hall in New York (1976). Beyond her dance performances, she also ventured into acting, appearing in several films in the 1930s and 40s, and was also a singer. She was known for her dedication, maintaining a strict practice regimen until she was 75. Sitara Devi encouraged her students to explore and incorporate elements from other dance forms like ballet, tango, and tap dance. Her significant contributions to Indian classical dance were recognized with numerous accolades. She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1969, the Padma Shri in 1973, and the Kalidas Samman in 1995. Notably, she declined the Padma Bhushan in 2002, stating she would only accept the Bharat Ratna. Sitara Devi passed away on November 25, 2014, in Mumbai, leaving behind a profound legacy. Her daughter, Jayanti Mala, a Kathak danseuse herself, continues her mother's work through Kala Kriti Kendra in Mumbai. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1969), Padma Shri (1973), Kalidas Samman (1995), Nritya Nipuna.