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2025   Eminent Bharatanatyam dancer, guru, researcher, author and social reformer, DR. PADMINI CHAKRABORTY from the North Eastern Indian state of Tripura, passed away on October 13, 2025, aged 79. Dr. Padmini was the first person from Tripura to complete her Master's degree and PhD in Bharatanatyam. Her institution ‘Nrityangan’ was one of the first institutes where students of Tripura got the opportunity to learn Bharatanatyam. More info: Dr. Padmini Chakraborty - Anusha Chakraborty  A multidisciplinary artiste, curator, and director who created work that resonated with audiences locally and beyond, Sydney based JIVA JEHANATHAN PARTHIPAN passed away on 1st October 2025 in Australia, aged 51. He was suffering from Parkinson’s for the last few years. Born in Sri Lanka, Parthipan trained in classical Indian dance in the UK and earned a Masters in Performance (Distinction) from Goldsmiths, University of London. He was the first male dancer to perform with Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, a leading British Indian contemporary dance company, that brought him into the public eye. He toured extensively around UK and received recognition for his work by numerous regional and dance agencies and funders. Working locally and internationally, Jiva’s multidisciplinary performance works have been presented at Tate Modern; ICA London; International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts (IETM), Paris/Dublin; National Review of Live Arts, Glasgow; Performance Space, Sydney; Bone Festival Switzerland, and JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience (South Africa), to name a few. As a Creative Producer in Australia, his projects include Handfed (Museum of Contemporary Art), Little Baghdad (Powerhouse Youth Theatre, Australian Museum), and Dance Africa Dance (Riverside Theatres). At STARTTS in Western Sydney, he supported artistes from emerging and refugee communities. Jiva was one of the small group of pioneering dance artistes who went beyond the traditional narrative to explore issues around sexuality and cultural diversity. He brought people and communities together through the power of art. More info: Jiva Parthipan - Circling the Outsider - Donald Hutera  Bharatanatyam Guru A SARADA HOFFMAN (14 June 1929 - 14 Sept 2025) popularly known as Chinna Sarada, is no more. She was 96. One of Rukmini Devi’s earliest students, she also trained under Pandanallur Chokkalingam Pillai and Dandayudhapani Pillai. She honed her music skills under maestros Mysore Vasudevacharya and MD Ramanathan. From Gurus Ambu Panicker and Chandu Panicker she received training in Kathakali. She completed her studies in 1947 and was appointed a teacher and lead dancer in Kalakshetra. Sarada Hoffman has rendered yeoman service to dance. Initially, she performed extensively with the Kalakshetra troupe and later concentrated on teaching and composing in Bharatanatyam style. She was the main strength behind Kalakshetra's training activity and is credited with maintaining the distinct quality of its technique and style. She was instrumental in standardising a Kalakshetra methodology for Bharatanatyam. A number of eminent Kalakshetra trained artistes like Yamini Krishnamurti, Adyar Lakshman, C.V. Chandrasekhar, Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan, Krishnaveni Lashmanan, Ambika Buch, Kala Ramesh, Savitri Jagannatha Rao, Balagopalan, Janardanan, Neila Satyalingam to name a few, had the benefit of training under her guidance. After her retirement as head of the dance department in 1989, she continued to serve Kalakshetra as an emeritus member of the faculty until 1996. She was living in the US with her son Krishna and daughter Geeta in the last few years of her life. Sarada Hoffman received many honors including Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1996) and the first ‘Rukmini Devi Medal for Excellence in the Arts’ established by the Centre for Contemporary Culture, New Delhi, in 2001. Madras Music Academy honoured her with their coveted award of ‘Sangita Kala Acharya’.  Senior Kathak dancer, creator and educator, Guru RINA SINGHA passed away in Toronto on September 1, 2025 after a brief illness. She was born in Kolkata in 1937. She trained with Kathak master Shambu Maharaj (1910-1970) at Delhi's Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra. In 1960 Rina moved to London and toured Europe both as a soloist and with the internationally acclaimed company of Ram Gopal. She moved to Toronto in 1965. From 1971-1976 she taught dance theory and history at York University. With a Master’s in Education, she developed A Cultural Approach to Learning, a multiculturalism-focused educational program for school visits. In the 1970s, inspired by her daughter Vinita’s deafness, Rina was also one of Canada’s first dance artistes to run programming especially for deaf children. She founded two teaching institutions: the Kathak Institute of Toronto in 1982 and the Rina Singha Kathak Dance Organization in 1992. Coming to Canada in 1965 at a time when most non-mainstream dance was seen as ‘quaint’ or ‘exotic’, Singha made it her life’s mission to ensure that the beauty of her art form would be recognized and appreciated both for its depth of technique and its message. A solo Kathak performer for over 50 years, Rina has choreographed traditional and experimental works that reflect her life experiences and social issues related to life in Canada such as Songs From Exile Walls, Lullabye and Lament, Prithvi (an Earth Narrative) and full length Biblical works including The Seekers: from the Garden of Eden to the Walls of Jericho. She also collaborated with acclaimed choreographer Danny Grossman. Rina is recognized internationally as a leader in the field of Christian dance. Rina Singha’s career as a pioneer and trailblazer in many facets of dance has been recognized with numerous national and international awards including the Dance Ontario Award, the Pioneer Skills for Change du Maurier Award, the William Kilbourne Lifetime Achievement Award, the Grant Community Achievers 2008 award, the Internationally Juried Award for Excellence in Performing Arts for her Biblical dances, and the Canada Council Arts A Award for Choreography.  Renowned civil servant and cultural curator DR. SUBHAS PANI passed away at the age of 76 on August 4, 2025 at Bhubaneswar. He was a celebrated author, translator, composer, and creative visionary whose scholarship on Jayadeva’s Geeta Govinda enriched India’s cultural heritage. A 1972-batch IAS officer, Dr. Pani had an illustrious career spanning decades, holding several key positions in both the Odisha Government and the Central Government. An academic and cultural enthusiast, Dr. Pani held a PhD on Jayadeva’s Geeta Govinda and authored several books and articles. His musical rendition ‘Sampoorna Geeta Govinda’, released as a set of five CDs by Saregama in 2008, was highly acclaimed. Dr. Pani was closely associated with cultural heritage and curated major festivals including Kumar Utsav (Jeypore), Mukteswar Dance Festival (Bhubaneswar), Srikhetra Utsav (Puri), and Ashtapadi Festival (Delhi), among others. He was also a life member of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), underscoring his dedication to the preservation and promotion of India’s rich cultural heritage.  Iconic Manipuri theatre personality RATAN THIYAM (1948-2025), passed away on July 23, 2025 at Imphal, aged 77. Born to Manipuri dance artists, Thiyam initially studied painting before transitioning to literature and theatre. He was one of the pioneers of the Theatre of Roots movement that blended ancient Indian theatrical traditions with modern themes and theatrical techniques. In 1976, he founded the Chorus Repertory Theatre in Imphal. An alumnus of the National School of Drama who later became its Director and Chairman, he was also former Vice Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Thiyam’s spectacular productions, including Chakravyuha, Uttar Priyadarshi, Ritusamharam, Urubhangam, Lengshonnei (an adaptation of Antigone), Andha Yug and a Manipuri rendition of Macbeth, were celebrated for their poetic intensity, visual splendour, and integration of Manipuri dance and music and Thang-Ta martial arts. ‘Some Roots Grow Upwards,’ a 2003 documentary by Kavita Joshi and Malati Rao, was based on the life and work of Ratan Thiyam, especially his political ideologies, and his use of theatre as medium of political protest. He was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987 and Padma Shri in 1989, Kalidas Samman, France’s La Grande Medaille (1997), John D. Rockefeller Award (2008) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2012). More info: * A Documentary on Guru Ratan Thiyam * Ratan Thiyam (1948–2025), iconic Manipuri theatre director, dies at 77 - Frontline News Desk  Bharatanatyam dancer DR. VIJAYAMBIGAI INDRAKUMAR passed away on July 10, 2025 aged 81.  Kathak exponent and teacher KUMKUM ADARSH, a disciple of Pandit Lacchu Maharaj, passed away after a prolonged illness on July 5, 2025. She was 65. After her guru's demise in 1978, she established Lachhu Maharaj Ballet Centre in 1982. Kumkumar Adarsh was a recipient of the Yash Bharti, Devi, the UP Sangeet Natak Akademi awards and several other honours. She was also an "A" grade Akashvani artiste. She is survived by her husband Adarsh and daughter Purvi.  Guru THIYAM SURYAMUKHI DEVI expired on 29th June 2025. She was 90. She was a celebrated Manipuri classical dancer known for her profound contributions to the art form over five decades. Her work primarily focused on enriching and promoting Manipuri classical dance, including traditional forms like Raas Leela, Lai Haraoba, and tribal folk traditions. She was revered for her graceful artistry, intricate hand gestures (mudras), devotional storytelling, and her unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting Manipuri dance both nationally and globally as a performer and a teacher. More info: Thiyam Suryamukhi Devi (June 1, 1935 - June 29, 2025) - Dr. Sinam Basu Singh  Kathak exponent and mentor MANGALA BHATT (1963 - 2025) passed away on June 16, 2025 in Hyderabad after a brief illness. She was 62. She is survived by husband Kathak artiste Raghav Raj Bhatt and son Madhav. Mangala was born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra and received her initial education there. She trained at Kathak Kendra institute in New Delhi on a national scholarship. At Kathak Kendra, Mangala initially trained under Guru Kundanlal Gangani and later took advanced training under Kathak maestro Pt Durga Lal, from whom she absorbed his brilliant technique and mastered the dazzling cadence and subtle nuances of Kathak. Along with her husband Raghav Raj Bhatt, she founded Aakruti Kathak Kendra, a premier Kathak institution in Hyderabad in 1990. Mangala and Raghav Raj Bhatt (disciples of Pt Durga Lal and Pt Birju Maharaj respectively) were a dance duo that brought together the confluence of two distinct styles of Kathak, representing Jaipur Gharana and Lucknow Gharana. They have been conferred with the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for their lifetime contribution to the field of Kathak, and the State Award by Chief Minister of Telangana.
 Bharatanatyam dancer ANITA MENON who established Portland's Anjali School of Dance and also worked on Western theater projects, passed away on June 3, 2025. More info: Remembering dancer, choreographer and teacher Anita Menon - Subashini Ganesan-Forbes and Sarah Jane Hardy  RADHA BHASKAR MENON (September 28, 1948 - May 22, 2025) Eminent classical dancer-guru Radha Bhaskar Menon, wife of Bhaskar Menon and founder of Mudra School of Indian Classical Dances established in 1973 in Ahmedabad, passed away on 22nd May 2025 at the age of 77, leaving behind a luminous legacy. A maestro of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, and Kathakali, she nurtured the art for over five decades. Her legacy continues through her children Ananth Menon, Aparna Kiran Menon, Smidha Menon, and granddaughter Vaishnavi Menon who now carry the torch of Mudra with love, dedication and grace. Radha was the recipient of many awards including Gujarat State Sangeet Natak Akademi's 'Gaurav Puraskar,' Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's 'Sanskar Chora Award', 'Sringar Mani' from Sur Sringar Samsad, Mumbai, and 'ASIA Ratna' award from ASIA Charitable Trust. More info: Radha Bhaskar Menon: A life in rhythm, a legacy in grace - Bijoy Anand Shivram and Neethi Srikumar  KAMALINI NAGARAJAN DUTT (retd. Senior Director, Central Archives, Doordarshan, New Delhi) passed away in the early hours of Sunday, 27th April 2025. She was 75. She is best known for her pioneering work in the field of Intangible Heritage Archiving in Doordarshan. If not for Kamalini Dutt, Doordarshan would have lost some of its most valuable treasures for good. She was a reputed dancer, choreographer, guru, scholar, television producer and mentor to many. She is survived by her daughter and disciple, Purvadhanashree. More info: If not for Kamalini Dutt, Doordarshan would have lost some of its most valuable treasures for good - Malini Nair Thousands of recordings of the legends of music, dance and drama were decaying in the offices of the broadcaster – until Dutt stepped up.  Bharatanatyam dancer, educator and scholar, Guru PREMCHAND HOMBAL (March 24, 1952 - April 19, 2025), son of renowned Guru Shankar Hombal, is no more. Possessing dual master's degrees in Bharatanatyam and Sanskrit, Guru Premchand Hombal's journey in dance began under the tutelage of his esteemed parents, Shankar Hombal and Girija Devi Hombal, who were disciples of Rukmini Devi Arundale and Mylapore Gauri Ammal. Furthering his training, he underwent rigorous advanced instruction at Kalakshetra, Chennai, supported by a scholarship awarded by the Government of India. Guru Premchand Hombal concluded his illustrious 36-year tenure in 2017 after working as the Head of the Department of Dance at the Faculty of Performing Arts, Banaras Hindu University for two consecutive terms. Guru Hombal was an outpost of Bharatanatyam in Banaras for long, after Guru C.V. Chandrasekhar. As the Head of Dance at BHU, he mentored many students and inspired generations. He also served as an Honorary Professor at Sri Sri University, Cuttack, bringing a wealth of expertise and experience. He was celebrated as a walking repository of Natyashastra knowledge in contemporary times. His profound expertise enabled him to choreograph and direct numerous dance dramas that have garnered acclaim at the national level. He showcased his skills both as a performer and director in numerous Sanskrit dramas. He choreographed iconic productions like Uttar Priyadarshi and directed Sanskrit plays like Abhigyana Shakuntalam. His last show took place two months ago in Neemrana group’s Fort Tijara. As a distinguished scholar, he was sought after to lend his expertise to various selection and educational committees, including the Board of Studies at several universities and institutes. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2021 for his overall contribution to the performing arts. One of his sisters is senior Bharatanatyam talent Parijat living in Chicago, USA. He is survived by his wife Mala Hombal, elder daughter Medini Hombal and younger daughter Dharini Hombal.  Celebrated Kathak Guru KUMUDINI LAKHIA (17 May 1930 - 12 April 2025), founder of the Kadamb Centre for Dance in Ahmedabad, is no more. She had been ailing for some time. Kumiben (as she was fondly called) was trained by Shambhu Maharaj of the Lucknow gharana. In her younger days, she performed duets with Pt Birju Maharaj. After a distinguished profession as a solo dancer, she established Kadamb in 1964, which has produced many acclaimed dancers. It was at Kadamb that she focused her energies and vision on the development of the technique, vocabulary, and repertoire of Kathak dance. Starting with a small group of students whom she trained in a rigorous routine, she started doing choreography in 1973. Her endeavour was to transform the presentation of Kathak dance with innovative ways for contemporary expression. The Kadamb ensemble has toured extensively around the world where it has received critical acclaim and appreciation. Some of her eminent disciples include Aditi Mangaldas, Daksha Sheth, Maulik Shah and Ishira Parikh, Vaishali Trivedi, Rupanshi Thakkar, Parul Shah, Urja Desai Thakore and Gargi Shah. Kumiben has been honored with many awards including Padma Shri (1987) and Padma Bhushan (2010) and was honored on this Republic Day in Jan 2025 with the Padma Vibushan for her lifelong dedication to Kathak. She was also recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi award, Tagore Ratna from SNA, Kalidas Samman from govt of Madhya Pradesh, Guru Acchan Maharaj Award, Sumitra Charat Ram award, Bharat Muni award from Nalanda Dance Research Centre (Mumbai) and Gaurav Puraskar from the Gujarat government. Known for her unparalleled technical expertise and immense artistry, Kumiben spent a lifetime dedicated to learning, exploring, teaching and creating that has ensured her an enviable place in the history of Indian dance. More info: Kumudini Lakhia: The Kathak visionary who danced beyond tradition - Jumana Shah Kumudiniben, India's beacon of innovation in dance, left behind a legacy that transformed Kathak into a vibrant, contemporary art form. Kumudini Lakhia, the Kathak exponent who loved tradition and breaking past it - Prerana Shrimali As I look back on my journey as a Kathak dancer, I can confidently say that if I am considered a thinking dancer today, the credit for it goes to Kumudini ji.  JANAK KHENDRY (1938-2025) An iconic Canadian artist of Indian origin, a visionary dancer, choreographer, and sculptor, JANAK KHENDRY, recipient of Excellence in Arts Award by CCAI, passed away on April 10, 2025 in India. He was proficient in four distinct Indian classical dance styles of Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Sattriya, Manipuri and also in western modern dance. He was renowned for his innovative approach to classical Indian dance, seamlessly blending traditional forms with contemporary themes. His works often delved into spiritual and philosophical narratives, reflecting his deep engagement with both Eastern and Western literary traditions. In 1978, Khendry founded the Janak Khendry Dance Company in New York, and the company was registered in Canada in 1981. JKDC in Toronto was a beacon of cross-cultural artistic exploration. Janak’s commitment to education and cultural exchange was evident in his collaborations with artists and institutions across the world. His legacy is not only preserved in his unique choreographic works but also in the countless dancers and students he has mentored throughout his life. He was a unique man of culture and fine arts, also known as a writer, glass sculptor and a connoisseur of Indian textile/visual arts. Khendry had a Master's Degree in sculpture from Ohio State University. He moved to Toronto in 1979 and opened The Glass Art Gallery (first gallery in Canada specializing in glass sculpture). His works are in private collections in India, USA, Canada and Europe. More info  Mohiniattam dancer DR. GEETA RADHAKRISHNA passed away on April 8, 2025. She was a scholar, writer, mentor and Yoga teacher. She obtained her doctorate degree from Mumbai University with the thesis ‘Narayaneeyam - Philosophy, Bhakti and Aesthetics’. She has choreographed solo dance drama on Narayaneeyam, Sanskrit classic about Lord Krishna by Narayana Bhattatripad, ‘Mary Magdalene’ (from The Holy Bible), ‘Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa’ etc. Some of the books written by Geeta are 'Mohiniattam - Adavus and Mudras,' 'Mohiniattam - dance of the enchantress,' 'Devi Mahatmyam - Mystic Powers of the Radiant Goddess,' a book of poems 'Prakriti Nrityam' and 'Jai Jai Natana Ganesha.' Her latest book was 'Ananda Siva Natanam - The blissful dance of Siva.' More info: Geeta Radhakrishna: A cultural ambassador of India - Vijay Shanker  P.S. SUBRAMANIAN, Secretary, Sri Subramania Samaj, Mumbai, known popularly as PS Mama, passed away on 8th April 2025 in Mumbai, aged 90. He was the driving force behind the Natyanjali festival at Sri Subramania Samaj Temple Complex, Cheddanagar, Chembur, Mumbai, for the past 21 years and all other activities of the temple.  Eminent Bharatanatyam Guru KUTTALAM M. SELVAM, son of Guru Muthuswamy Pillai, passed away on March 21, 2025. He was 75. Kuttalam M Selvam was born into a family of musicians and nattuvanars in 1950 in Kuttalam in Tamil Nadu. He was the director of Chevalier VS Muthuswamy Pillai Laya Natiya School in Chennai. Selvam was also a Lecturer in Nattuvangam (Retd), Govt Music College, Adyar in Chennai. When teaching, he created a unique repertoire for each student, highlighting their abilities and talents.  Costume designer SNEHASHISH BHATTACHARYA of brand Darzee, passed away on March 10, 2025 at Kolkata. He was a favoured designer for the Sapphire Dance Company.  VIMALA RANGACHAR (96) passed away on 25th February 2025 in Bangalore. She was the granddaughter of Venkataranga Iyengar, one of the founders of Malleswaram in the late 19th century. Fondly known as Vimala aunty, she was a vibrant personality. A promoter and lover of the arts, a patron of crafts and textiles, theatre personality, she was a pillar of strength to several organizations and educational institutions. As an educationist, she was one of the founders of the reputed Mysore Education Society (MES) in Bengaluru in 1956 and was involved in running many education institutions of the MES till her demise as a member of its management committee. She was one of the founders of the Malleswaram Enterprising Women’s Society (MEWS), and a patron of Seva Sadan. Vimala Rangachar was active in promoting performing arts and traditional crafts. Much before Ranga Shankara or Ravindra Kalakshetra came up in Bengaluru, Vimala Rangachar had taken the initiative to build ADA Rangamandira (Amateur Dramatic Associates Theater) on J. C. Road. She was among those responsible for setting up the Jawahar Bal Bhavan at Cubbon Park in the early 1970s, where she created space for theatre as well. She received the Rajyotsava award in 2003. She will be fondly remembered for years to come. More info: Multi-faceted cultural personality and Mysore Education Society co-founder Vimala Rangachar passes away in Bengaluru - KV Aditya Bharadwaj  Guru MAYADHAR RAUT (July 6, 1933 - February 22, 2025) Guru MAYADHAR RAUT, the doyen of Odissi, passed away on February 22, 2025 at New Delhi. He was 92. His training to become one of the foremost artistes of the dance form began at the age of seven with learning the Gotipua dance form, a precursor to the classical Odissi dance. Raut was the first to present the Gotipua dance on stage in 1944. He was a founding member of Kala Vikas Kendra in Cuttack in 1952; it was the first institute in India where Odissi was taught. Raut was one of the founder members of Jayantika, an association of scholars, performers and gurus, formed in 1959, that played a major part in the reconstruction of modern Odissi through codification and development of the dance form while building its vocabulary by incorporating basic science of abhinaya. He is credited with steering the revival of Odissi with Shastra-based knowledge. He also had great mastery over ancient treatises like Natyashastra, Abhinaya Darpana and Abhinaya Chandrika and adopted many aspects from them into Odissi. He is credited to have introduced sanchari bhava, Mudra Viniyoga, and Rasa Theory in the study of Odissi. He was the first to adapt Gita Govinda ashtapadis to Odissi on stage. Delhi’s Kamani Auditorium was inaugurated with the performance of his Gita Govinda in 1971. He has been honored with many awards including Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977), Sahitya Kala Prishad Award (1984), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1985), Rajeev Gandhi Sadbhavana Award (2003), Upendra Bhanja Samman (2005), and Tagore Akademi Ratna (2011). He is survived by his daughter Odissi dancer Madhumita Raut, and sons Manoj and Manmath Raut. His wife Mamta Raut died in 2017. More info: Tribute to a legend: Natyacharya Mayadhar Raut - V.P. Dhananjayan Odissi Guru Mayadhar Raut: The last giant man standing just fell - Ashish Khokar  Veteran make-up artiste SETHUMADHAVAN passed away in Chennai on January 13, 2025.  Kathak Guru CHITRA VENUGOPAL passed away in Bangalore on January 3, 2025. Born on 28 July 1936, Chitra Venugopal, the younger sister of Kathak guru Maya Rao, hailed from a family of artistes. For Chitra, an art which was taken up as a hobby, turned out to be a specialized study. After completing her BA, she was awarded the Government of India Scholarship for study in Kathak at Bharatiya Kala Kendra (now Kathak Kendra). Chitra was the second South Indian to receive this award. Initially trained by Guru Sohanlal of Jaipur Gharana, she had the opportunity of being trained by Gurus Shambu Maharaj, Birju Maharaj, Devendra Shanker and Maya Rao. On completion of her specialized training in Kathak, Chitra propagated Kathak in places where it was not popular. Chitra continued her work abroad from 1979 to 1988 in the UK and Egypt, where her husband was on an assignment with a multinational company. On returning to India in 1988, Chitra settled down in her hometown Bangalore, and was actively involved in coaching of students at Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography. Chitra joined Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in 2000 as a Head of the Kathak training section in the Visual and Performing Arts of Kala Bharati, a cultural wing of the Bhavan. After a ten year association with Bhavan and 60 years of dance career, at the age of 75 she decided to hand over the baton to the younger generation to pursue the activity she had initiated at the Bhavan. Chitra was appointed as Chairman of the Text Book Committee for the first text book released for Junior exams for Kathak in 1994. She was a recipient of the Senior Fellowship Award for research in 'Abhinaya in Kathak' bestowed by the Ministry of HRD, Central Government for the years 2000-2002. Her masterpiece was the choreography of ‘Abhigyana Shakuntalam’ which integrated Kathak, Kandyan and Bharatanatyam styles. |
