Payal Dance Academy

Legendary dancer Padma Vibhushan Yamini Krishnamurthy's passing marks the end of an era, but her impact on the world of dance will continue to uplift and inspire

A Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Odissi exponent, Yamini Krishnamurthy's captivating performances inspired many, including myself. My dance journey began in the mid-70s when my grandmother enrolled me in Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi classes after being impressed by her artistry in these two art forms.

Her artistic influence on my family, from my grandmother to my daughter, is a testament to her enduring legacy.

Her stage presence was mesmerizing, commanding silence with energetic movements, enthralling abhinaya, and hypnotic eye movements. She inspired generations through her passion and approach to life and dance, leaving a lasting legacy.

Here's Natyam: A Documentary On Yamini Krishnamurti
Co-Produced By
The Academy of Performing Arts
Compressed for Youtube by GPP Media Pro.
https://youtu.be/mZreK41D5wM?feature=shared

Have been reading tributes, articles, and media coverages from news daily and seeing her YouTube links all weekend long.

Here are some media coverages that caught my attention

Here's one from "Deccan Herald"
The author of this write-up is Padma awardee Prathibha Prahlad a renowned dancer, scholar, choreographer, and arts administrator
https://www.deccanherald.com/india/yamini-krishnamurthy-a-dancing-diva-who-mesmerised-all-3136146

Here's one from "The Indian Express"
https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/yamini-krishnamurthy-benchmark-of-bharatanatyam-torchbearer-kuchipudi-odissi-passes-away-83-9493070/

One from "The Hindu"
https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/veteran-bharatanatyam-dancer-yamini-krishnamurthy-dies-at-84/article68481592.ece

Pic credit: The Hindu

Pleasant memories..

THIS DAY
#1993

31 years just rolled by in a snap.

My 1st solo full-fledged classical dance concert in NC was a fund raiser for HSNC after moving to the RTP area.

We had a warm and overwhelming response from the local Indian community that set the tone for my dance career and social life in the Triangle area.
Many thanks to Mrs Saroj Sharma and the local HSNC volunteers who arranged this program. Sharma aunty not only played a big role in my starting a thriving dance career here but has also been a huge source of support and growth in the Triangle area since then.

A lot has changed in 31 years,
but my passion for dance and the uncompromised approach in teaching classical dance have remained the same







The Hindu Society of North Carolina

promotional poster for Mahishasura Mardhini, 2002, by artist Verma. Supriya and Satya Raju posing for the painting.

End of a golden Era as Kathak exponent, choreographer, and legend Padmavibushan Pandit Briju Maharaj passes away. An irreplaceable loss that has created a deep vacuum.

Have had the honor of sharing the green room and back stage with Pandit Briju Maharaj ji in 1995 in Stamford, CT, during my home production of my USA tour of Meera Bai. Panditji was on tour with his Ramayana production. We had gone back to back on stage and had shared some memorable moments back stage.

A humble and down-to-earth person, Panditji, valued and appreciated authenticity, talent, and genuine efforts in all art forms. His Kathak workshop at my Kala Kendra dance studio, Cary, in 2008 gave me and my daughter Karishma an opportunity to interact with him one-on-one and take his blessings.
After a long day of dance workshop with live orchestra in my dance studio, Panditji was kind enough to stay back and watch my daughter Karishma's Bharathanatyam dance rehearsal . We were preparing for her TV Doordarshan(India) audition.

The positive feedback given by Pandit ji and Shashwati ji after they sat through the dance rehearsal gave her the confidence needed to face the tough TV audition successfully.
Pandit ji's words of appreciation and encouragement in asking me to continue my work just the way I do made me 1000 folds stronger in life. His words keep ringing back into my ears today as I hear this sad news.

Pandit ji 's legacy will live forever 🙏.


Here are some of the outpouring media links reporting and paying tribute to the legend.

https://www.deccanherald.com/national/kathak-exponent-pandit-birju-maharaj-passes-away-1071840.html

https://www.newsncr.com/entertainment/pt-birju-maharaj-passed-away-pandit-birju-maharaj-used-to-romance-with-kathak-choreographed-these-songs-and-won-national-and-filmfare-award/

https://www.news18.com/amp/photogallery/movies/pandit-birju-maharaj-death-interesting-things-to-know-about-the-kathak-maestro-4667096.html

Thank you Facebook for the pleasant throw back .

2019






https://www.deccanherald.com/sunday-herald/sunday-herald-art-culture/the-worlds-a-stage-and-shes-at-play-771067.html

https://www.deccanherald.com/sunday-herald/sunday-herald-art-culture/the-worlds-a-stage-and-shes-at-play-771067.html

The world's a stage, and she's at play Watching the arangetram of a young US-based dancer in Mumbai, a renowned dance scholar and guru had remarked that the art had been brought back to India in its purest form. The remark speaks volumes for the training the young dancer underwent at her dance school run by North Carolina-based Bengalure...

Pleasant reminder

Dancing away overseas Supriya Desai says she keeps herself rooted in Indian performing arts

Jayakanaki Ramana - Thodaya Mangalam Group dance choreography of Supriya Desai for popular item called Thodaya Mangalam

On the occasion of Ramanavami I would like to share my choreography of a composition on lord Shri Ram that is very close to my heart . Have choreographed several krithis and varnams on Lord shri Ram but this Thodayamangalam composition by Annamacharya in Ragamaalika remains etched in my heart .

Jaya Janaki Ramana is one of my signature items from my vast repertoire from the early and mid 2000's. This choreography was presented in my school's ( Payal dance academy's) 10th anniversary program in 2003 .

Thanks to my late Guru Narmada, a prime disciple of Tanjavur kitappa Pillai for passing on this treasured composition from her Paramapara to me and several of her other students.

Please take a moment to see the several months of hard work that went into my program production.

Happy Ramanavami !!

Jayakanaki Ramana - Thodaya Mangalam Group dance choreography of Supriya Desai for popular item called Thodaya Mangalam

Throwback to this day in 1988.

Had received the 'Natya Shakuntale' title and award from the Mayor of Bangalore.
My pic of receiving the award and title was featured in the well known Indian National weekly news magazine 'Eves weekly'.

The felicitation program was organized on my return to Bangalore. The award and title was given in recognition for my dance performances and contributions in the youth program at 'Festival of India' in the former Soviet Union /U.S.S.R. The high level cultural festival was organized by the Govt. of India.

When you find something that you were not looking for it takes you back into memory lane.
Just thought of sharing.