Classical dancer Kalamandalam Sathyabhama passes away

In Obituary
September 14, 2015

Mohiniyattam dancer, teacher and choreographer Kalamandalam Sathyabhama has passed away at the age of 77. Regarded as a matriarch of the classical dance, she was awarded the Padma Shri in 2014 and the first Swati Tirunal Puraskaram by Kollam Kathakali Club and Troupe in 2006. In 1994, she bagged the Leel Kendra Sangeeta Akademi award. The Nruthya Natya Puraskaram of the Government of Kerala was first awarded to Satyabhama in 2005.

Sathyabhama – Points to Note

Sathyabhama was born in 1937.
She learnt dance at a very early age under the tutelage of Kalamandalam Achutha Warrier and Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Warrier.
Satyabhama debut performance was in front of the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Kalamandalam Satybhama was the first woman Vice Principal of Kerala Kalamandalam and, later, became its Principal till she retired in 1992.
Satyabhama has published a treatise on Mohiniyattam in Malayalam, by name, Mohiniyattam – History, Techniques and Performance.

Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam is a semi-classical dance form of Kerala. It is perfomed by women.
The word Mohini means a maiden who steals the heart of the onlooker.
It is one of the eight Indian classical dance forms recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
It is thought that Vaishnava devotees gave the name of Mohiniattam to this dance form.