Artist Name: Lakshmi Mani
Place: Chennai, India
School/Organization:
Website:
Youtube:
Contact:
Email : lakshmi_dancer@yahoo.co.in
Phone :
Profile and pictures posted with permission from the artist
Universally acclaimed as an excellent
danseuse & choreographer endowed with a rare sensibility for aesthetics,
Lakshmi Mani enthralls connoisseurs of the Kuchipudi & Bharathanatyam
genres of Indian classical dance, as a result of her deep understanding of
both, without compromise to either.
The Performer: Apart from
having undergone rigorous training in Bharathanatyam from the doyenne Guru Smt.
K.J. Sarasa, Lakshmi has had intensive tutelage in the Kuchipudi idiom from the
illustrious Guru Shri. Vempati Chinna Satyam. She is today regarded as one of
the outstanding exponents of Kuchipudi, feted for her exquisite Abhinaya
(expressions).
The Choreographer:
Lakshmi’s virtuosity is well-represented in her recital of time-honoured
traditional items, as also in her own choreographic pursuits within the
classical framework. Spanning over a large spectrum of compositions, Lakshmi’s
choreographies include several trendsetting thematic solo presentations based
on the compositions of Kshetrayya, Oothukkadu Venkata Subbaiyer, Maharaja
Swathi Thirunal, Annamacharya, Thyagaraja, Jayadeva, Narayana Teertha &
other such composers. Worthy of mention, especially, is ‘Godaanjali’, a solo
presentation based on the Telugu translation of Andal’s Tiruppavai.
The
Cultural Ambassador: Lakshmi’s tryst with dance takes her
to appreciative audiences across the globe, like USA, Sri Lanka, (former) USSR
& Canada, while she also receives appreciation from various cultural
delegations visiting India. She regales audiences across the length &
breadth of her homeland, participating in several well-known Dance Festivals
such as Khajuraho, Mamallapuram, Konark, Kuchipudi, Tirupati, Chidambaram, Tiruchanur,
Tirupponthurthy (Narayanateertha Samadhi) & Bengaluru, besides performing
for numerous Sabhas across the country.
The Achiever: Having thus
carved a niche for herself in the world of classical dance, Lakshmi is a
recipient of several honours & awards. While it is noteworthy that one of
her very initial recognitions came in the form of a Special Prize in Talent
Promotion from the prestigious Sri Krishna Gana Sabha(Chennai), other
appreciations include the titles ‘Natya Mayuri’, ‘Ubhaya Natya Visharada’,
‘Lalitha Naanaaroopa Narthaki’, ‘Natya Kala Lahari’ & ‘Nrithya Kala
Bharathi’. She has also been selected for the award of ‘Nrithya Sri’. Recently, the world renowned Brahmakumaris Foundation honored her for spreading Indian Art and Culture through Kuchipudi. She is invited by several cultural organizations & dance schools across
India & the globe to share her valuable experience by way of
master-workshops, lecture-demonstrations as also to judge competitions.
The Eternal Learner:
Continuously endeavoring to enhance her understanding & interpretation of
the divine art of dance, Lakshmi is a Diploma-holder in Kuchipudi & is in
continuous intellectual dialogue with scholars & cognoscenti of the arts.
With a view to perpetuate the great traditions she has imbibed, Lakshmi trains
a handful of fervent aspirants who come to her from all parts of the world,
seeking to broaden their horizons & to further hone their artistic
capabilities through her institution, "Mani Manjeera"
Seeking to spread the joy of
dance all over, Lakshmi Mani truly believes that ‘Art is the inner language of
the heart.’
