Kamala Bhat, an exponent of the Pandanallur bani
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In the late 1970s, the dance scene in Mangaluru was dominated by male gurus, with Jayalakshmi Alva being one of the few exceptions. That was when Kamala Bhat founded Natyalaya in 1978 in Urva. She wanted to nurture local talent .
An exponent of the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam, Kamala Bhat deeply rooted in the tradition of the art form, having learned from renowned gurus such as Ullal Mohan Kumar, B.R. Sundar Kumar and Revathi Narasimhan.
Born in 1954 in Kasaragod, Kerala, Kamala moved to Mangaluru to continue her training in Bharatanatyam. As one of guru Ullal Mohan Kumar’s senior-most students, Kamala trained under him for many years. He inculcated in her the values of discipline and guru bhakti. Later, she passed on the same to her own students, who have now become accomplished teachers in their own right, keeping alive the parampara.
Guru Kamala Bhat took a holistic approach to teaching, ensuring her students were not only trained in dance but were also supported in all aspects of their life. She provided for their well-being, ensuring they were nourished while pursuing the art.
Over 45 years of relentless work, Kamala Bhat became one of Mangaluru’s most respected Bharatanatyam gurus. Today, her legacy continues through her students, with more than 30 of them having established their own dance institutions globally, and more than 70 students having completed their Vidwath exams under her guidance.
One of her former students recalls when she was struggling financially to continue her dance studies. Kamala Bhat, without hesitation, quietly offered to cover the fees for her advanced training. When the student insisted on paying back, the guru simply smiled and said, “If you want to repay me, ensure that you continue to pass on the art with the same dedication and love that I have taught you.”
Guru Ullal Mohan Kumar, now 91, misses his disciple, for he shared a deep, unique bond with her. Affectionately describing her as “my eldest daughter”, he mentions her curiosity and dedication to learning.
Dancer Rajashree Shenoy, Ullal Mohan Kumar’s daughter, fondly recalls their shared performances, especially the iconic ‘Bhavayami Raghuramam’ on stage.
Kamala Bhat’s contributions to Bharatanatyam in Mangaluru have been recognised by numerous organisations. Among her accolades were the ‘Karnataka Kalashri’ award from the Karnataka Sangeetha Nritya Academy in 2020, the ‘Dakshina Kannada District Rajyotsava award,’ and the ‘Shri Rama Vittala award’ from Pejawar Swami.
(Radhika Shetty is a Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher based out of Mangaluru)
Published – January 24, 2025 03:08 pm IST
