Kathak Dancer Kumudini Lakhia Passed Away

• 17 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

On 12th April 2025, Kathak artist and choreographer Kumudini Lakhia passed away at the age of 95 due to age-related illness at her residence in Ahmedabad. 

Key Points 

• About Kumudini Lakhia : 
  • Kumudini Lakhia , also known as "Kumiben" , was among the artists who . blended modern expressions, techniques, and themes with the classical essence of the traditional dance form. 
  • She was born on 17 May 1930 in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) in a music-loving family.  
  • She received her initial training in Kathak dance from Pandit Sundar Prasad of the Jaipur Gharana .
    • She also took training from  the great dancer Pandit Shambhu Maharaj of the Lucknow Gharana. 
  • During her training she also got the opportunity to work with Pandit Birju Maharaj, which further enriched her dance vision. 
  • She exhibited her art not only in India but also in countries like Europe and the United States . 
• Establishment of Kadamba 
  • In 1964 she founded the "Kadamba Dance and Music Center" in Ahmedabad . Through this center she trained a new generation of Kathak dancers. 
• Awards and Honors 
  • Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1982): Honour given by India's National Academy for contribution to classical dance . 
  • Padma Shri (1987): Fourth highest civilian award given by the Government of India . 
  • Padma Bhushan (2010): Third highest civilian award . 
  • Kalidas Samman (2002): A prestigious cultural award given by the Madhya Pradesh government . 
  • Padma Vibhushan (2025): India's second highest civilian award .  

 Kathak 

• Introduction: 
  • The word Kathak is derived from the word Katha which literally means to tell a story. This dance is mainly performed in Northern India. 
  • It was primarily a temple or village performance in which dancers narrated stories from ancient texts. 
  • It is one of the classical dances of India . 
• Development : 
  • Kathak dance developed as a distinct form with the spread of the Bhakti movement in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries . 
  • The legends of Radha-Krishna were first enacted in folk dramas called 'Rasa Leela', which later incorporated folk dance with the original gestures of the Kathak storytellers. 
  • Kathak was performed in courts for the Mughal emperors and their nobles, where it acquired its present characteristics and developed into a distinct style. 
  • It developed into a major art form under the patronage of Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh. 
• Dance Style: 
  • Usually a single narrator or dancer pauses for a period of time to recite the verses, which are then demonstrated through physical movements. 
  • There is a greater focus on leg movements; body movements are skillfully controlled by dancers wearing 'ankle-bells' and performed with straight legs. 
  • 'Tatkar' kathak basically involves the movement of the feet. 
  • Kathak is the only form of classical dance that is related to Hindustani or North Indian music. 
  • Some of the prominent dancers include Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi.