PROFILE

Kalamandalam Vasantha celebrates golden jubilee of Nruthanjaly

- SK Venugopal
e-mail: venugopalsk@hotmail.com

October 24, 2026

From a distinguished alma mater to nurturing generations of dancers, the inspiring journey of a dedicated guru and the golden legacy of 'Nruthanjaly'.

Kalamandalam Vasantha

The story of Kalamandalam Vasantha is one of passion, perseverance, commitment and selfless dedication to the classical dance traditions of India. A proud alumnus of Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy, from where she graduated in 1975, Vasantha went on to carve a remarkable niche for herself, not merely as a practitioner of classical dance, but as a devoted teacher who made the propagation of this rich artistic heritage the mission of her life. She had the good fortune of getting trained in various classical dance forms under eminent gurus viz. Kalamandalam Sathyabhama, A.R.R. Bhaskar Rao, Kalamandalam Padmini, Palani Swami, Vasudeva Panicker, Kalamandalam Ramaswami, Sukumari Narendra Menon, Thanjavur Kittappa Pillai, Thanjavur Chandrasekhar, Vaishnavi, Kalamandalam Mohana Thulasi and others.

Born into a Namboodiri family, Vasantha took the courageous and unconventional decision of marrying G. Vikraman Nair, known affectionately as Hari, against the wishes of her community. It was a decision born of conviction and affection, and, in time, her family and community came to appreciate the deep bond she shared with the man she had chosen as her life partner. Vasantha and Hari's journey together eventually gave birth to an institution that has become synonymous with classical dance in Perumbavoor.

THE BIRTH OF NRUTHANJALY
With the active encouragement and support of Hari's uncle Krishnankutty Nair and aunt Guru Kalamandalam Sumathi, the couple embarked on an artistic venture that would shape the cultural landscape of Perumbavoor. Thus, in 1976, Nruthanjaly was established as a centre for teaching Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi.

Hari, himself a talented tabla artiste, gradually expanded the institution's curriculum to include music, adding another dimension to its artistic pursuits. What began as a modest initiative, founded on a shared love of the arts, steadily grew into a respected institution dedicated to imparting training in India's classical performing traditions.

Vasantha's quiet determination, unassuming nature and inimitable humility soon endeared her to students and parents alike. Her reputation spread throughout Perumbavoor and the neighbouring areas, and students began to flock to Nruthanjaly to learn under her guidance. Her approach to teaching was distinguished not by self-promotion, but by sincerity, discipline and an abiding concern for the artistic growth of her pupils.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Kalamandalam Vasantha's life has been her willingness to place the interests of her students above her own aspirations as a performer. She has generously shared the knowledge and skills she acquired at her alma mater, Kerala Kalamandalam and from her other illustrious teachers, with successive generations of young dancers. Her contribution has been recognised through several awards and honours bestowed upon her as a teacher of classical dance. She has also enjoyed the distinction of being invited to serve as a judge at numerous prestigious competitions, including the Kerala State School and College Arts Festivals. Such recognition stands testimony to the respect she commands in the classical dance fraternity and to the depth of her experience as an accomplished guru.

Under the stewardship of Vasantha and Hari, Nruthanjaly grew steadily in stature and reputation. Over the decades, it has produced a remarkable number of talented dancers in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi. Some of Vasantha's former students have gone on to attain celebrity status in the world of dance, while others have become teachers themselves, conducting classes and carrying forward the traditions they imbibed at Nruthanjaly. In this way, the institution's influence has extended far beyond its original premises, creating a growing community of dancers and teachers inspired by Vasantha's methods and ideals.

The reputation of Nruthanjaly has transcended geographical boundaries. The institution has earned invitations to perform at various prestigious dance festivals in cultural centres such as Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Chennai and Bengaluru. These opportunities have provided its students with valuable exposure and have brought recognition to the quality of training imparted under Vasantha's guidance.

A particularly cherished association is with the annual festival at Kolloor Mookambika Temple during Navaratri, where Nruthanjaly has had the privilege of opening the celebrations with a dance performance. This tradition, sustained for more than three decades, is a tribute to the institution's artistic standing and the confidence reposed in its dancers. Such invitations are not merely occasions for performance; they represent the culmination of years of disciplined training, dedication and collective effort. Every performance carries forward the values that Vasantha has instilled in her students: respect for tradition, devotion to the art and a constant striving for excellence.

A GOLDEN JUBILEE TO REMEMBER
A few months ago, Nruthanjaly celebrated a momentous milestone - its Golden Jubilee, marking fifty years of an inspiring artistic journey that began in 1976.

The celebrations unfolded over three days and brought together artistes, students, well-wishers and admirers of the institution. Eminent artistes conducted dance workshops, providing students with opportunities to learn, interact and enrich their understanding of classical dance. The programme culminated in performances by Nruthanjaly students, while senior artistes were felicitated in recognition of their contributions to the field.

The Golden Jubilee was more than a celebration of longevity. It was an occasion to reflect on five decades of artistic achievement, the generations of students who have passed through its doors, and the invaluable role played by Kalamandalam Vasantha and Hari in building and sustaining this institution. Behind every successful performance, every accomplished student and every honour received by Nruthanjaly lies the dedication of a guru who has quietly and consistently given of herself to the cause of dance. The jubilee was, therefore, as much a tribute to Vasantha's personal commitment as it was to the institution she helped nurture.

The journey of Kalamandalam Vasantha and Nruthanjaly reminds us that the true measure of an artiste's greatness lies not only in personal accolades or applause on stage, but also in the lives touched, the knowledge transmitted and the traditions kept alive. Vasantha's legacy is reflected in the countless students she has trained, the teachers who have emerged from her institution, and the growing appreciation of classical dance that Nruthanjaly has fostered over the years.

As Nruthanjaly moves beyond its Golden Jubilee, one can only hope that this distinguished institution will continue its artistic sojourn with the same enthusiasm and dedication, reaching newer heights and inspiring many more generations. May Kalamandalam Vasantha's dedication continue to illuminate the path of aspiring dancers, and may Nruthanjaly flourish for many more decades, returning one day to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee with even greater glory.

S.K. Venugopal is a businessman in the field of Engineering projects, also a singer, composer, accredited artist in Light Music at All India Radio, auditioned and graded member of panel of speakers in Films Division of India, who was once associated with Mohiniattam as accompanying musician and music composer.

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