Smt. Satyabhama

🪔 About

Kalamandalam V. Satyabhama, born on November 4, 1937, in Shornur, Palakkad, Kerala, India, was a distinguished Indian classical dancer, teacher, and choreographer, primarily renowned for her contributions to Mohiniyattam. She began her dance training at a very early age as a part-time student at Kerala Kalamandalam, under the tutelage of Kalamandalam Achutha Warrier and Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Warrier. In 1950, she joined Kalamandalam as a full-time student, where she trained in Mohiniyattam under Thottassery Chinnammu Amma, and also received training in Bharatanatyam and Kathakali. She further honed her skills with Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma. Satyabhama made her major stage debut in 1955 during the silver jubilee celebrations of Kalamandalam, performing before Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. She joined Kalamandalam as a junior teacher in 1957 and, at the young age of 24, retired from performances to dedicate herself to teaching and choreography. She rose to become the first woman Vice Principal and later the Principal of Kerala Kalamandalam, a position she held until her retirement in 1992 or 1993. She also served as the Dean of Kerala Kalamandalam and on the selection committee for annual Kalamandalam fellowships. Satyabhama is widely credited with playing a significant role in the revival and establishment of Mohiniyattam as a distinct classical dance style. She purified the dance form by removing external influences and modified performance techniques to strictly adhere to Lasyam. Her revolutionary changes to the Mohiniyattam curriculum at Kerala Kalamandalam led to the evolution of the distinctive "Kalamandalam style Mohiniyattam." She also redesigned Mohiniyattam costumes to reflect traditional Kerala aesthetics, which became a hallmark of the Kalamandalam style. Satyabhama composed 35 Mohiniyattam pieces and authored the book "Mohiniyattam - History, Techniques and Performance" in Malayalam. In her honor, Kerala Kalamandalam instituted an annual scholarship award for deserving Mohiniyattam students. Awards & Honours: Padma Shri (2014), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1994), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1976), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (2007), Nruthya Natya Puraskaram (2005), Kerala Kalamandalam Award (1988), Swati Tirunal Puraskaram (2006), Shadkala Govinda Marar Award (2013).