Padma Awardee & Kathak Legend Kumudini Lakhia Passed Away Recently.
Obituary
In April 2025, legendary Kathak dancer and Padma Awardee Kumudini Lakhia passed away at the age of 95 at her residence in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. She was born on May 17, 1930, in Ahmedabad. In recognition of her lifelong contribution to Indian classical dance, she was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan in January 2025 in the ‘Arts’ category, India's 2nd highest civilian award.
- Kumudini Lakhia began her dance journey with the renowned Ram Gopal troupe and toured extensively across the globe. She played a pivotal role in popularizing Indian classical dance forms, especially Kathak, on international platforms, earning global admiration and respect for her unique style and contribution.
- Some of her most notable choreographic works include Dhabkar (Pulse), Yugal (The Duet), and Atah Kim (Where Now?). She presented Atah Kim at the Kathak Mahotsav in Delhi in 1980, which marked a significant milestone in contemporary Kathak choreography.
- She established the Kadamb: Centre for Dance and Music in Ahmedabad in 1964, which became a hub for innovation in Kathak. Through Kadamb, she expanded the vocabulary, structure, and aesthetics of Kathak, infusing it with a contemporary perspective while preserving its classical essence.
Main Point :- (i) Kumudini Lakhia mentored several celebrated Kathak dancers, including Aditi Mangaldas, Vaishali Trivedi, Sandhya Desai, Daksha Seth, Maulik Shah, and many others. These disciples went on to become well-known performers and choreographers, furthering her legacy.
(ii) Apart from being a dancer and mentor, she also held several prominent positions such as Vice President of the Council International De La Dance (Paris, France), Executive Board Member of the Sangeet Natak Akademi (New Delhi), and Chairperson of the Gujarat State Sangeet Natak Akademi.
(iii) Her awards include Padma Shri (1987), Padma Bhushan (2010), the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1982), Kalidas Samman (2002-03) by Madhya Pradesh Government, and Guru Gopinath Desiya Natya Puraskaram (2021) by the Kerala Government (awarded in 2022), showcasing her immense contribution to Indian arts and dance.
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