Profile
Dr. Kalamandalam Radhika
Kalamandalam Radhika took to dancing at the tender age of three, under the expert tutelage of Guru Rajan. In her quest to learn the different aspects of dance she learnt mridangam vaitharis from Guru Ponniah pillai to attain mastery over the techniques of rhythm. She then learnt Kathakali from Muttar Sri. Narayana Panicker to hone her skills and talent.
She later specialised in Mohiniattam having studied under the all time Great Gurus like Late Chinnammu Amma and Kalamandalam Sathyabhama. She was also under the tutelage of late Kalamandalam Kalyani Kutty Amma for a short period. Her training under Kalamandalam Padmanabha Ashan in kathakali polished her Abhinayam to a great extent.
Radhika, daughter of K.K. Nayar, a reputed Chartered Accountant, was given her name by none other than the noted painter Dr. Svetoslav Roerich and his wife, the first lady of the Indian screen Madame Devika Rani Roerich .
The child who captured Pandit Nehru's heart by her expertise in oratory has given lecture demonstrations both at the National and International levels on Mohiniattam. Radhikas’s forte is not confined to dancing alone. She has done extensive research for nine years on Mohiniattam. As a result she has systematised the basic Adavus (steps), have revived the costumes and jewellery worn by the old time mohiniattam dancers as early as 1940. She is the pioneer to perform Mohiniattam in all languages. The press aptly calls her ‘The Ambassador of Mohiniattam’.
She has to her credit more than 2000 performances and workshops in India and abroad. Radhika’s speciality is the ability to interact with the audience and take them along with her on an emotive trip.
Radhika has performed both at the National and International Levels.She has performed for diginitaries like the SAARC delegates, WHO delegates, Soviet Representatives, Diplomats and others.
