Renowned classical dancer and choreographer Yamini Krishnamurthy passed away on August 3 following a prolonged illness. She was 83 years old. The dance community is in mourning as they prepare to pay their last respects to this iconic figure. Her mortal remains will be kept at the Yamini School of Dance in Hauz Khas, Delhi, on August 4, allowing students and admirers to honor her legacy one last time.
Ms. Krishnamurthy holds a monumental place in the history of Bharatanatyam, particularly in popularizing the classical dance form in North India. Moving to Delhi in the 1960s, she made it her mission to bring Bharatanatyam to a wider audience. Her efforts were tireless. Much like the legendary sitar maestro Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ms. Krishnamurthy became a globally recognized name, her performances sought after by audiences around the world.
Known for her vibrant energy and brilliant technique, Ms. Krishnamurthy lent a distinct flair to Bharatanatyam without compromising its traditional grammar. Her movements, expressions, and stances were celebrated for their precision and creativity. Her performances sparkled with an innate energy that set her apart from her contemporaries. Over the course of her career, she inspired countless dancers, leaving an indelible mark on the next generations.
Born on December 20, 1940, in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, Yamini Krishnamurthy’s artistic journey began early. She grew up in a scholarly environment; her father was a Sanskrit scholar, and her grandfather was an Urdu poet. This rich cultural background profoundly influenced her. She began training in Bharatanatyam at the renowned Kalakshetra in Chennai. After mastering the basics, she further refined her art under the guidance of eminent gurus such as Kanchipuram Ellappa Pillai, Kittappa Pillai, Dhandayuthapani Pillai, and Mylapore Gowri Ammal.
Yamini Krishnamurthy was a versatile artist. While Bharatanatyam was her primary focus, she also gained proficiency in other Indian classical dance forms.
. She trained in Kuchipudi under Vedantam Lakshmi Narayana Sastri and Chinta Krishnamurthi, and later learned Odissi from maestros like Pankaj Charan Das and Kelucharan Mohapatra. This multi-disciplinary approach enriched her understanding and execution of dance, making her performances even more captivating.
Ms. Krishnamurthy’s debut performance took place in 1957 in Chennai, marking the beginning of a stellar career. She often reminisced about her childhood days in Chidambaram, a town famous for the Nataraja Temple, which kindled her early interest in dance. This spiritual connection to the art form remained with her throughout her life.
“She ruled the dance world for a long time and the high standard she set as a soloist is hard to surpass,” said Geeta Chandran, a Delhi-based Bharatanatyam dancer. Chandran emphasized Ms. Krishnamurthy’s role as a cultural ambassador, likening her to other luminaries such as M.S. Subbulakshmi and Ustad Bismillah Khan. “Along with her scholar-father, she explored both the philosophical and spiritual aspects of the art. With her father’s guidance, she gathered amazing material to mount her dance on. Though her last days were spent in loneliness, she did not lose her love for dance and was always eager to know what was happening. It’s a great loss to the artiste fraternity, but her life will continue to serve as a valuable lesson.”
Many who knew her or watched her perform were struck by her commanding presence. Chennai-based Bharatanatyam dancer Priyadarsini Govind recalled, “Her eyes spoke a lot. She had an aura about her. When you met and spoke to her, you realized that she was a born artiste.”
In the midst of grief, the dance community also finds a moment to celebrate her unparalleled contributions to the arts. Ms. Krishnamurthy, through her passion and devotion, not only enriched the field of classical dance but also inspired many to pursue it with the same vigor and dedication. Her life and work remain a testament to the enduring power of art, and her legacy will continue to shape the world of Bharatanatyam for generations to come.