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KUMUDINI LAKHIA
"Each day the empty space stares at me in the face. Yet, instead of emptiness, I see a space charged with dormant energy waiting to take form. They are forms born from my own life, patterns with which I am closely connected. The bodies become slowly, larger than life, space becomes flexible, and each time it is like a new conversation between time and space."
Padma Bhushan Smt. Kumudini Lakhia, one of Kathak’s living luminaries, is a legend known for her unparalleled technical expertise and immense artistry. A lifetime dedicated to learning, exploring, teaching and creating has ensured her an enviable place in the history of dance.
At Kadamb, Kathak is the very essence of who we are, how we love, and what we create. We pride ourselves on our history of creating imaginative and spectacular compositions that have been appreciated by audiences across the globe.
A career in dance spanning over seventy years today Kumudini Lakhia’s name is synonym with Kathak. After a distinguished profession as a solo dancer, Kumudini Lakhia established the KADAMB Centre for Dance in Ahmedabad, India in 1964.
It was at Kadamb that she focused her energies and vision on the development of the technique, vocabulary, and repertoire of the 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.
Lakhia’s performing company Kadamb has toured extensively around the world where it has received critical acclaim and connoisseur’s appreciation. She continues to lecture on ‘creativity and performance in dance’ at universities in India, USA, and countries in Europe.
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Having been conferred with the highest civilian award Padma Shree and Padma Bhushan, awardee of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Guru Acchan Maharaj Award, Sumitra Charat Ram award, Gaurav Puraskar from the Govt. of Gujarat, Kalidas Sanman from Govt. of M.P., Tagore Ratna from SNA, and Sharang Dev award by Mahagami Gurukul, Aurangabad Bhatkhande Puraskar from Lucknow, Nagar Bhushan from the city of Ahmedabad, Bharat Muni award from Nalanda Dance Research Centre, Mumbai and Hanumant Award from Morari Bapu. She has also been honored by numerous cultural institutions for her unique contribution to the world of Indian dance.
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Kumudini Lakhia has served numerous prestigious organizations of dance namely Vice President of the Council International De La Dance, Paris, Executive Board Member of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, was the Chairperson of the Gujarat State Sangeet Natak Akademi, was the member of the Executive Committee of the Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, a Cornell Professor at Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, USA. Kumudini Lakhia is the Artistic Director of the Kadamb Centre for Dance and Music, Ahmedabad.
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