Kalamandalam Radhika is an Indian classical dancer, choreographer, research scholar, teacher, writer and philanthropist. She was the first non-resident Keralite to win the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Mohiniyattom. She learnt Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Kathakali and other dance forms.
Kalamandalam Radhika | |
|---|---|
 Kalamandalam Radhika | |
| Born | |
| Occupation(s) | Dancer, choreographer and stage performer |
Early years and education
editKalamandalam Radhika was born in Bangalore to K.K Nair, a chartered accountant. She started learning dancing at the age of three under Guru Rajan, and later learnt Kathakali from Muttar Sri. Narayana Panicker and mridhangamvaitharis from Guru Ponniahpillai. In the late 1960s, she moved to Cheruthuruthy and stayed at the Kalamandalam for four years. Under the wings of Chinnammu Amma, Kalamandalam Sathyabhama and Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair she was moulded into a skilled performer. Her tutelage under the late Kalamandalam Kalyani Kutty Amma and her training under Kalamandalam Padmanabha Ashan in Kathakali honed her skills.[1]
Dancer and choreographer
editShe has conducted more than two thousand performances in India and abroad at national and international levels. She is a member of the UNESCO International Dance Council, and has conducted her performances for WHO delegates, SAARC delegates, diplomats, Soviet representatives, and others.[2] To explore the depths of Mohiniyattom, she has undertaken extensive research, and re-organized the basic steps, jewellery and costumes worn by Mohiniyattom dancers of the early 1940s.[3][4] She has executed and choreographed biblical themes including the advent of Christianity in India, and the birth of Christ.
Radhika has conducted workshops in US, UK, Europe, Atlanta, and Germany. She has also choreographed and danced for Behold Thy Mother, a biblical film directed by an Italian priest Fr.Gerard. She has composed and choreographed five cholkettus, three varnams and innumerable padams in different languages. She was criticized for performing biblical themes in Mohiniattam, but the poetical works of VeerappaMoily, Kuvempu, Fr. Abel, Amruth Someshwar and St. Chavara as adapted by Radhika were well received.[5]
Author
editRadhika has written numerous articles for the dance and music magazine Shrutilaya and has submitted a paper on Mohiniyattom at a seminar organized by the NCERT on the subject of ‘Dance Education in Schools'. She has also written an article about the Devadasi system of Kerala for the weekly Indu , published from Houston, USA, and is the author of the books 'Mohiniyattom-The Lyrical Dance of Kerala´ and ‘Mudra’ published by Mathrabhoomi.[6][7]
Appearances
edit- Television
| Year | Film | Role | Channel | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Slave Market[8] | Hanima | MBC Group | English-Arabic | International TV Series |
| 2019–2021 | Sumangali Bhava | Muthassi | Zee Keralam | Malayalam | Serial |
| 2018 | Straight Line | Herself | Kaumudy TV | Malayalam | |
| 2018 | Aa Yathrayil | Herself | Safari TV | Malayalam | |
| 2018 | Charutha | Herself | Kerala Vision | Malayalam | |
| 2016-2017 | Manjal Prasadam | Nagamadathamma | Flowers TV | Malayalam | Serial |
| 2011-2012 | Kadhayile Rajakumari | Abhi's Mother | Mazhavil Manorama | Malayalam | Serial |
| 2006 | Shakunam | Nun | DD Malayalam | Malayalam | Telefilm |
- Film
| Year | Film | Role | language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Valatty | Owner of Bruno | Malayalam |
| 2022 | Innale Vare | Ramaniyamma | Malayalam |
| 2018 | Marunnu (short) | Umma | Malayalam |
| 2014 | Namma Gramam | Narayani | Tamil |
| 2013 | Cleopatra | Inmate | Malayalam |
| 2012 | Gramam | Narayani | Malayalam |
| 2012 | Chapters | Lady at hospital | Malayalam |
| 2012 | Ordinary | Jose's mother | Malayalam |
| 2011 | Veeraputhran | Vayattati | Malayalam |
| 2010 | Kadha Thudarunnu | Principal | Malayalam |
| 2010 | Janaki | Santha Cheriyamma | Malayalam |
| 2009 | Ritu | Sarath's mother | Malayalam |
| 2008 | Innathe Chintha Vishayam | Noushad's Aunt | Malayalam |
| 2008 | De Ingottu Nokkiye | Politician | Malayalam |
| 2007 | Vinodayathra | Doctor | Malayalam |
| 2007 | Nivedyam | Ramavarma Thampuran's sister | Malayalam |
| 2006 | Rasathanthram | Nun | Malayalam |
| 2005 | Achuvinte Amma | Moothumma's relative | Malayalam |
| 1982 | Kilukilukkam | Dance teacher | Malayalam |
- Endorsement
- Oxygen - The Digital Shop Advertisement
- Pankajakasturi
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Entertainment Thiruvananthapuram / Personality : Dancer and philanthropist". The Hindu. 1 April 2005. Retrieved 17 November 2016.[dead link]
- ^ "Kerala Interviews,Interview of the week". Kerala.com. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Kalamandalam Radhika is one of the finest exponents of Mohiniattam". Blackboard.lincoln.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Two decades in Art Journalism". GS Paul. 17 March 2000. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Home". Thecmsindia.org. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ Radhika, Kalamandalam (1 January 2004). Mohiniattam: The Lyrical Dance of Kerala. Mathrubhumi Books. ISBN 9788182640306 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Review - Atlanta hosts the 'Ambassador of Mohiniattom' by Arun P Madangarli". Narthaki.com. 6 September 2003. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Kalamandalam Radhika in International web series". Madhyamam.