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Pandit Birju Maharaj presenting the \u2018Pandit Achhan Maharaj Kalajyoti Award\u2019 to Kumudini Lakhia at Kamani Auditorium in New Delhi on March 10, 2008.
\n | Photo Credit:
\n S. Subramanium\n <\/p>\n

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Exposed to the life and works of dancers ahead of their time, Kumudini, despite her training in traditional Kathak, travelled to London to join the pioneering Ram Gopal, who put Indian dance on the global culture map. He introduced her to a broader definition of dance \u2014 beyond the body. \u201cWhen touring with him I realised choreography is not just about well-conceptualised movements, it\u2019s also about well-coordinated lighting, costume, makeup and music,\u201d she had explained.<\/p>\n

These associations and travels served as a catalyst in her constant search for new material. Though as a soloist, Kumudini\u00a0 blazed through the classical idiom with enormous success. Her hunger for challenges led her to adopt an unconventional approach and style. She came up with abstract themes, which stood out for their ballet-like jumps and glides. The pared-down costume and accessories gave her group works a contemporary feel while the music retained an Indian classical flavour.<\/p>\n

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Kumudini Lakhia was known for her distinct style\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cI did what I did not because I wanted to be called an experimentalist or an innovator. When you are constantly living with the art, it begins to mirror your thoughts and emotions. So I see myself in Kathak and my dance is what I am,\u201d she had said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Published – April 12, 2025 09:29 pm IST<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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When you looked at Kumudini Lakhia\u2019s gentle, modest and cheerful persona, you could have hardly imagined she was a woman with immense inner strength and a steely resolve. After all, she fought the patriarchal setup in the Kathak world in her own quiet way, and encouraged many young girls to pursue dance on their terms. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":240949,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[194579],"class_list":{"0":"post-240948","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"tag-kumudini-lakhia-kathak-kadamb-choreography"},"yoast_head":"\n