Kumudini Lakhia, contemporary dance pioneer who mainstreamed group performances in Kathak, dies at 95
Lakhia, 95, had started the Kadamb Centre for Dance in 1967 after seventy years of dancing solo in Ahmedabad
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Pennsylvania's Swarthmore College, where Lakhia was a visiting Cornell professor, compared her to American modern dancer and choreographer Martha Graham.A few weeks after she was awarded with Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second highest civilian honour, Celebrated Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhia, 95, died in Ahmedabad on Saturday morning. Considered a pioneer in contemporary dance, Lakhia was hailed for bringing group performances in Kathak, which was largely associated with solo renditions, to the mainstream.
She had also done choreography for Hindi film Umrao Jaan (1981).
Awarded the Padma Vibhushan on Republic Day in January, the veteran artiste was honoured with a Padma Shri in 1987, and the Padma Bhushan in 2010, besides several other national awards.
She transitioned to choreography in 1973, which she spoke about at a Natyakala conference in 2001.
After 70 years of dancing solo, she started Kadamb Centre for Dance in 1967 in Ahmedabad, beginning with a small group of students. She started doing choreography in 1973.
‘Saw the entire stage filled with dancers…’
At a Natyakala conference in 2001, Lakhia had spoken about the transition. In her address reproduced in Narthaki, a directory of Indian classical dances, she had said, “Solo Kathak dance did not excite me any more because it had developed too much gimmickry to it. However, I was deeply rooted in dance and the technique of Kathak itself was very artistic and complete. The way it was presented needed a lot of consideration.” She further stated, “A performance needs to embody a certain dignity and finesse. This was my very first commitment to the presentation of Kathak. In my vision, I saw the entire stage filled with dancers, patterns of colours, music which had musicality and not just an accompanying element.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu condoled her death through posts on X. “Deeply saddened by the passing of Kumudini Lakhia ji, who made a mark as an outstanding cultural icon. Her passion towards Kathak and Indian classical dances was reflected in her remarkable work over the years. A true pioneer, she also nurtured generations of dancers. Her contributions will continue to be cherished…” PM Modi wrote in his post.
“Sad to learn about the passing away of eminent Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhia Ji…Lakhia ji trained and mentored numerous students through KADAMB Centre for Dance. She transformed the presentation of Kathak dance through innovative contemporary interpretations. Her contribution in the field of performing arts will be cherished forever…” wrote President Murmu.
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat wrote on X: “Her passing away leaves the entire world of Kathak and Indian classical dance bereaved. Her contribution towards redefining Kathak vocabulary remain unparalleled.”
In its website, Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, where Lakhia was a visiting Cornell professor, compares her to the American modern dancer and choreographer Martha Graham.
In 2014, the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts hosted Kadak Badshahi, a play on the history of Ahmedabad that saw two legends from Gujarat — Mrinalini Sarabhai, then 96, and Lakhia at 85 — dance on the stage.
Among Lakhia’s renowned students are Aditi Mangaldas, who founded a dance academy in Delhi, Daksha Sheth who runs a dance school in Kerala, and Atsuko Maeda who opened ‘Kadamb Japan’ and teaches Kathak, as per the Kadamb website.
Lakhia lived in Ahmedabad with her daughter Maitreyi Hattangadi, an acclaimed dancer herself. Her son is based in Australia.
She was cremated on Saturday afternoon. A condolence meet would be held in her memory in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
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