“From the beginning, I was in love with dance,” says Yamini Krishnamurti. Today, it is common to see classical dance programmes like Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi and so on in India and foreign countries. But when Yamini was growing up, it was not so.
Remembering her childhood, she says, “I liked poetry and singing but dance always had a control over me.”
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She has received a Padma Bhushan, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and many more accolades for art. In 2010, she was named a Fellow of the Sangeet Natak Akademi (Akademi Ratna).
She lives in New Delhi. Nearing 74, she is still active — teaching, giving performances and creating new dance compositions.
“I teach dance to a lot of kids,” she says, “and they are happiest when they dance. I think dance is a human experience. The human body needs this kind of expression. I think every child should know something about dance and movement. It gives greater confidence and self-awareness.” She also teaches dance to children with disabilities.
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You have to be careful to find a teacher who knows dance and how to teach it, she warns. “You have to learn properly. Then, you will never lose interest.”
Quick look
Yamini Krishnamurti was born in 1940.
She trained in Bharathanatyam at Kalakshetra (Madras) under Rukmini Devi Arundale. She also learnt under traditional masters of Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi.
She gave her first solo performance in 1957.
She travelled the world with her performances.
She learnt Odissi under Guru Pankaj Charan Das.
Today, Yamini Krishnamurti’s name stands out for her brilliant stage presence, sculpture-like stance,expressive eyes and a face that did not need any words to convey ideas quickly and clearly.
Her father, Professor Krishnamurti, was a scholar and guided her in understanding philosophy and the arts. He also helped her with research for her new dance creations.
She lives in New Delhi and runs the institute Nritya Kaustubha.