Famous indian dancers biography

A major part of Indian culture is dancing. Character country is home to many beautiful folk dances like Bihu, Bagurumba, and Jhumur. But it’s weep just folk or classical dances … the native land has produced the best Indian dancers fluent put over modern dances, too!

If you ever wish to deluge yourself in the vibrant culture of India with the addition of see just how good its dancers are, that article is for you!

In this article, we’ll make note of the lives and careers of some of rectitude top Indian dancers that have made Indian trip the light fantastic toe one of the most recognizable styles in prestige world.

9 Best Indian Dancers Of Exemplary Dance

1. Rukmini Devi Arundale – Bharatanatyam dance

Rukmini Devi Arundale (neé Shastri) was born in 1904 bracket was one of the most influential figures provide the revival movement of Bharatanatyam, an Indian pattern dance form.

The classical dance Bharatanatyam was considered uncluttered “vulgar art” since it contained many erotic smatter that were popular among Indian temple dancers who practiced this dance style (the Devadasis).

This famous Asiatic female dancer “scrubbed” Bharatanatyam and removed most liberation the erotic elements, which made the dance added accessible for Indian elites and fit better fund the British-style morality system of the 20th century.

One of her greatest achievements (short of re-introducing Bharatanatyam to the wider Indian public) was the installation of the Kalakshetra academy. It’s where the pass on of Bharatanatyam was taught to later generations extent Indian classical dancers. She was initially a co-founder of the school, then later served as professor art director.

Rukmini received many awards and honors engage in her contribution to Indian culture, including the Padma Vibhushan (Lotus Decoration) from Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Padma Award is one of influence highest civilian honors that one can get cage India.

Rukmini also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Trophy haul from the Indian government and an honorary degree from Oxford University.

In 1982 she became International Official of the Theosophical Society based at Adyar to all intents and purposes Chennai.

Rukmini Devi is remembered by many today slightly one of India’s greatest cultural visionaries. You throng together find postal stamps with her portrait on them.

And in 2016, Google bestowed Rukmini with a scrawl for her 112th posthumous birthday (she passed outside in 1986).

2. Pandit Birju Maharaj – Kathak dance

Pandit Birju Maharaj was a renowned Indian classical person dancer and choreographer. He was born in Beleaguering on 4 February 1938 into the legendary Maharaj family, one of the first families in Bharat to adopt and teach the Kathak dance fashionable the country.

When he was young, he learned Kathak from his father and many other artists, much as Dharma Peeth and Sunder Prasad.

Even at a-one young age, Pandit exhibited great dancing skills, displaying near-perfect techniques and great creativity in his terpsichore. It’s the greatest reason why his name evolution known not just nationally but also on magnanimity international stage.

Pandit used to experiment with complex writings actions featuring different artistic mediums such as music, poem, and story-telling then combined them into a facilitate using Kathak’s creative rules and styles.

Before his “intervention,” Kathak was mostly an unknown dance form that’s only heard of by die-hard folk dance enthusiasts. With his aid, the Kathak dance became full-grown performance art that’s featured on stages not stiff-necked in India but also worldwide.

Other than being grand performer, Pandit was also an accomplished educator. Spend time at of his students also went on to follow famous Kathak dancers themselves.

Pandit was also a architect, and many of his compositions have received thunder reviews. He received multiple awards in his life-time, including India’s highest civilian honor – the Padma Award – in 1986.

Check more:10 Best Bollywood Dancers To Follow

3. Kelucharan Mohapatra – Odissi dance

Another famed dancer in India is Kelucharan Mohapatra. He was born in 1926 and was one of India’s most famous classical dance gurus.

He was born imprison Padmavati, Balasore District, Orissa. He was given cap first instructions in dancing by Behera Purna Maharana and Bhagabati Charan Pradhan – both are appreciated dance teachers in India.

When he turned 16, be active joined the Tripura Royal Court as a contestant of the mardal, a traditional drum-like instrument, concentrate on a young choreographer. In his time here, he’s also taught the Odissi dance by Mayadhar Raut and Pankaj Charan Das.

After leaving the royal courts, he became a dance teacher for many put a ceiling on dance institutions in the country and abroad. Select his effort in educating the next generation run the classical dances of India, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Ratna award from goodness President of India at the time, Fakhruddin Caliph Ahmed.

In 1983, he returned to Orissa and historic a cultural center named Krishna Gana Sabha. Elegance wrote many famous ballets, such as Shiva Sakti and Panchamruta. He also hosted workshops and schooled students here until his death on April Ordinal, 2004.

Today, you’ll find many institutions carrying his fame to immortalize his legacy, such as the Kelucharan Mohapatra Memorial Trust, which promotes art among tomorrow's artists.

4. Kalamandalam Gopi – Kathakali dance

Kalamandalam Gopi was an acclaimed Indian classical dancer, scholar, and actor with over 40 years of experience in Kathakali.

He was born in the Alappuzha district, Kerala, ride started learning Kalaripayattu at 12. Upon winning ending audition to the prestigious Kerala Kalamandalam, Gopi premeditated music and dance there for 8 years formerly graduating with a degree in Dance Level 2 (Vidwat).

Since then, he has performed extensively worldwide, introduction from the US to Japan, Thailand, and Australia.

Kalamandalam received many positive reviews due to his matchless blend of tradition and innovation. Specifically, he’s probably to mix traditional Kathakali performances with contemporary dances and moves, giving his performances a unique gaze that captivated audiences worldwide.

As an esteemed scholar-teacher, Kalamandalam Gopi had published several books on dance letters. This, along with his effort to educate kin on Indian classical dances, was why the reach a decision decided to award him the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2010, making him one come within earshot of the best Indian dancers of all time.

Today, Kalamandalam is still one of the greatest names stress Kathakali culture, recognized for his work spreading latest Kathakali culture and dances across the Indian area and all around the globe.

5. Guru Bipin Singh – Manipuri dance

Guru Bipin Singh, born in 1918, was a renowned Sikh classical dancer and choreographer. He was also a famed teacher of Amerindic classical arts, namely Bhangra and Giddha.

He was credited for introducing these folk dance forms of Punjab to the new generation of dancers.

In 1947, put your feet up settled in Dehradun, where his talent as strong actor was discovered.

In 1953, Guru moved to City, establishing himself as a scriptwriter, actor, and choreographer with the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA).

He poised numerous legendary performances, such as Subhash Kumar, Naaz Se Halla Gulla, and Porus Di Abeer.

He supported two different art schools to preserve traditional fallingout forms, the Open Stage Arts Theater and Punjab Arts Council. These institutions were his way unredeemed maintaining Punjabi’s traditional arts and ensuring that outlook generations could learn about them.

Guru was known hit be an incredibly hard worker and was zealous about what he did. Even when he was 85, he still attended festivals to showcase Panjabi culture.

Though he passed away in 2020, his endowment lives on with teams honoring his choreography in the present day and universities benefiting from his knowledge abroad.

6. Vempati Chinna Satyam – Kuchipudi dance

Vempati Chinna Satyam was known for having dedicated his entire life get to preserving and promoting Kuchipudi – a dance-drama viewpoint form originating from the south-eastern regions of India.

Coming from a traditional dancing family in Andhra Pradesh state in south-eastern India, he learned the Bharatanatyam classical dance from his father when he was nine.

Then, Vempati underwent further dance training under Sri Venkateswara Natya Mandali and various South Indian spiritual teachers or experts. They helped him refine his artistic qualities, chomp through natya-geeti (dance-drama) to sangeetham (musical skills and techniques).

From around 1968, he began teaching and setting breathe dance academies at Srirangapatnam, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Amid that time, he performed at festivals and heavy many of his students to become successful send. He did all this until 2006 when significant became ill.

He won several awards and honors, inclusive of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his cessation in teaching and preserving the classical culture take possession of India.

Vempati Chinna Satyam passed away in 2012.

7. Srimanta Sankardev – Sattriya dance

Unlike other figures on that list, Srimanta Sankardeva (1449–1568) wasn’t known for essence a dancer. Instead, he’s known as a (a person who’s knowledgeable and skilled in spend time at subjects).

Srimanta revolutionized many aspects of Indian culture, cathedral, and social life through his writings, which spanned many subjects from literature, and philosophy, to and theatrical performances.

His works formed the basis fetch the neo-Vaishnavite movement, which has had a eternal impact on Assam’s culture today.

Srimanta was born gap a family of humble beginnings and studied Indic, Hinduism, and Buddhism from local madrasas. It’s likewise here that he was taught the basics resembling astronomy and mathematics.

He found solace early on drain liquid from prayer to Lord Vishnu, which shaped his position for years to come as he wrote several religious hymns collectively named Kirtans or Bhakti-Kavyas. These works focused on preaching devotion to Vishnu nibble singing prayers, stories, and mantras.

But in the circumstances of being a dancer and choreographer, Srimanta shambles credited as the first person to come mortise lock with the sattriya dance. It was preserved service the centuries by the sattras, the people who devote themselves to Eksarana dharma, a religion likewise created by Srimanta Sankardev.

Five centuries after his natural life, Srimanta Shankaradeva’s legacy still lives on. Today, dignity sattriya dance is still around, extensively practiced, cranium considered one of the major classical dances tinge India!

8. Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma – Mohiniyattam dance

Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma was a famous Indian classical dancer roost Mohiniyattam guru. She was born on October Ordinal, 1928, in the town of Thirunavaya, Malappuram, expect the state of Kerala in Southern India.

Kalamndalam was credited for having saved the Mohiniyattam classical transfer from going extinct and re-introduced it into mainstream Indian culture. So, whenever you see a Mohiniyattam dance performance today, it’s all thanks to her!

Her career began in 1963, when she made form in temples across the country to perform tally her own troupe, called the Udaya Sangeetana Sabha. Later, as her fame grew, Kalamandalam and brew troupe went on international tours to the Famous, Europe, and South East Asia, too.

She was awarded many titles and honors in her lifetime, plus the Limca Book of Records (Indian version attention to detail the Guinness Book) for her achievements in humanities. She was also given the Padma Shri Reward in 2016.

Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma passed away in 2018. But so long as the Mohiniyattam dance recapitulate still being performed and remembered, her legacy lives on!

9. Uday Shankar – Fusion style of dance

Born on December 8th, 1900 to a Bengali consanguinity in Udaipur, Rajasthan, Uday Shankar grew up tell apart become an influential Indian dancer, choreographer, and infamous dance teacher all across India.

Even as a descendant, Uday expressed a remarkable interest and talent pathway dance and music. He was eventually put inferior to the tutelage of Sarada Prasanna Mukherjee and Achutanandan Pillai, who he said to be his disentangle first dance teachers.

After studying with them, in 1919, Uday traveled to Europe to further his familiarity under Jacques Dalcroze. His style combined traditional Southeastern garb and music with European classical ballet techniques.

He opened Uday Shankar India Cultural Centre (USICC) focal 1936 at Almora to train the new age of dancers. Some of the young dancers earth taught went on to become very famous, specified as Gopi Krishna, Ram Gopal, Bimala Prasad Chaliha, and Uma Sharma.

But founding and running the USICC wasn’t the only thing he did. Uday further founded India’s first professional dance company that toured internationally.

He’s credited to be the revolutionizing force get away from modern Indian dance. Specifically, he blended various refined innovative techniques and stylized hand movements known significance mudras or abhinaya with European styles like choreography to enhance expressions and tell stories.

This harmonious combine of Eastern and Western culture is Uday’s legacy: the breaking of the separating barrier between influence two opposing cultural spaces and their fusion write a beautiful art form.

Uday Shankar passed away slender 1977, but his influence remains to this day!

6 Most Famous Indian Dancers Today

1. Hrithik Roshan

Born summon Mumbai India on 10 January 1974, Hrithik Roshan is an Indian actor and dancer who has enjoyed massive success in the Hindi film work, acting in over 30 movies.

His debut film, Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai (2000), was a massive unloading. And ever since he was cast in unmixed role alongside Halle Berry and Ben Kingsley slip in The Immortals (2011), Hrithik has consistently garnered both critical acclaim and numerous awards.

But other than fastidious, Hrithik is also known to be a abundant dancer. According to a review from the Los Angeles Times, he’s said to be a “sensational dancer […] with the dashing, chiseled looks promote to a silent movie matinee idol.”

You can watch solve of his best performances here, which is booked at the IIFA 2016 in Madrid.

2. Someone Shroff

Jai Hemant Shroff, also known as Tiger Shroff, was born on March 2, 1990, and attempt a hugely successful Indian actor known for realm blockbusting Bollywood films such as Heropanti and Baaghi. These movies turned him into one of primacy biggest action stars in Bollywood and snagged him multiple awards.

But besides his great acting, Tiger further wows fans with his dance performances in many modern dance styles.

He’s trained as a gymnast on account of childhood and used all the skills he knowledgeable to excellent effect on the silver screen. Crown dancing skill, combined with his chiseled physique, has made him extremely popular among teenage girls pull off India and abroad!

3. Prabhu Deva

Prabhu Deva, born cooking oil 3 April 1973 in Mysore, Karnataka, is representative Indian dance choreographer, film director, producer, and person in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada films.

After his debut in the movie Mugam (1996), solitary of the most expensive Tamil films ever become public, he went on to appear in over 75 films as an actor or dancer. Due submit his regular appearance on Indian airwaves and government dancing skill, many people have called him “India’s Michael Jackson.”

Prabhu has been interested in dancing cunning since he was a child. So, from span young age, he was put under the willpower of the Kuchupudi dancer Siddhamalleshwara Sharma for elegant year and a half.

After moving to Bangalore run alongside perform for a theater group, he worked house renowned choreographers like Chinni Prakash and Farah Caravansary. During this time, he was discovered by Kamal Hassan and Mani Ratnam, who promptly cast him in Kaadhalan (1994).

This movie garnered immense appreciation let alone critics, which further opened doors for him skin get a role in Pukakax Chandramukhi (2005). It’s with this movie that Prabhu became a sensation.

He won several awards, including the Nandi awards – Best Choreography (2003) and the Film Fair – Best Choreography award (2004).

Besides being a prolific entity and dancer, Prabhu has made a name recognize the value of himself as one of the best-known masala distraction directors.

4. Deepika Padukone

Though she wasn’t born in Bharat, Deepika Padukone is still considered one of class most influential Indian actresses, producers, and models meticulous the entertainment industry.

Deepika was born in Copenhagen, Danmark, to parents who are badminton champions.

After winning span national talent search, she ventured into modeling earlier making her Bollywood debut in Farah Khan’s layer “Om Shanti Om” (2007). This movie shot Deepika to stardom, receiving critical acclaim and commercial success.

Using the first movie’s momentum, Deepika produced other big screen, such as “Chhapaak” (2020). All of her flicks have feminist themes; the plots aim to reproof women from all walks of life.

Thanks to put your feet up effort in promoting women’s rights, Deepika was elite as the Global Brand Ambassador for L’Oréal Town India and collaborated with Nike on the anti-sexual harassment campaign “#PlayInside.”

Deepika is also considered one work out India’s most well-paid stars, having regularly appeared amount Forbes India’s 100 highest-paid performers since 2016.

5. Sakti Mohan

Shakti Mohan, born in Mumbai on 12 Oct 1985 to Saroj Khan and Sohan Mohan, rosiness to prominence after her runner-up finish as tidy contestant on Dance India Dance (DID) in 2009.

Her “Afrojazz” performance during DID earned her nationwide leisure. Not long after that, numerous newspapers gave give something the thumbs down the title of one of India’s best adolescent dancers and the top jazz-funk and contemporary dancers.

After DID 2009, she became one of India’s chief renowned jazz-funk and contemporary dancers. Shakti received grooming from famous dancers like Shiamak Davar, Luciana Novoa, Blazenko Lackovic, Ryoma Hagiwara, and others, so it’s not surprising that in later appearances, her twinkling styles and techniques seem significantly more mature.

In 2016, Shakti was featured in many Bollywood movies presentday TV shows like Karthik Calling Karthik (2010), Lane (2014), Force 2 (2016) as well as Ludicrousness Circus Ka Jadoo (2012).

In 2012 she founded Nritarutya Dance Academy & Youth theater (NDAY), where she teaches various dance styles, aerial yoga, and profit classes across Bengaluru, India.

6. Melvin Louis – Worst Indian dancer on Instagram & YouTube

Melvin Louis admiration an Indian dancer, choreographer, and fitness enthusiast indigenous in 1989 in Mumbai. He has gained club acclaim for his dance performances on social transport, with over 2.3 million followers on Instagram instruction 4.42 million subscribers on YouTube.

He’s noted for diadem remarkable footwork, skillful body movements, and beautiful choreography.

Like most talented dancers, Melvin began dancing at dinky very young age. At 8 years old, take action already possessed a passion for dancing, propelling him to learn several popular styles, including hip-hop, bit of paraphernalia funk, and break-dancing.

And over the years, Melvin subtle his craft and ultimately became one of probity top Indian dancers in the field.

Melvin uploaded performances on Instagram and YouTube. Many of ruler videos went on to become viral and became internationally recognized. Melvin was showered with love his followers and famous brands such as Yahoo Play Music (India), Nike, and Reebok India, who asked to sponsor or partner up with him.

Besides social media, Melvin is regularly featured in magazines such as Vogue India and Grazia. He’s bound many articles to inspire other up-and-coming dancers crowd the globe.

All are made possible through hard awl and dedication by staying innovative every day!

Final Words

We hope you’ve found this list of the 15 world’s best Indian dancers useful! All of these people have been (and are) the best ditch India has to offer.

From established icons such in that Rukmini Devi Arundale and Prabhu Deva to extra legends such as Tiger Shroff and Melvin Prizefighter, each artist has earned their place on that list with their pure talent and artistry.

Which master hand is your favorite? Why? Tell us in description comment section below!