The iconic Bharatnatyam dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy died at the age of 84. She was the recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. On her demise, Dr. Karan Singh said, “With Yamini Krishnamurthy passing we have lost someone who was possibly the most outstanding Bharatnatyam dancer in recent times. I recall that I was responsible for bringing her to Delhi and presenting her to Delhi audiences. When the newly built Ashoka Hotel was ready, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had specifically said that we should have a strong cultural wing so that it becomes more than just a hotel, rather a cultural centre for the capital. It was in this context that we invited Prof. Krishnamurthy and his daughter to come to Delhi.”
Her advent created quite a sensation. The sheer energy that she put into her jatis with her intricate footwork was a joy to see. Happily, she stayed on in Delhi for several decades and received three Padma Awards going up to the Padma Vibhushan. Her Kuchipudi was also superb and, along with Raja and Radha Reddy whom we also presented at Ashoka Hotel, they introduced this second great South Indian Classical Dance to Delhi audiences. Unfortunately, her health faded towards the end and she has passed away, but her memory will always remain with people who had the privilege of seeing her dance for several decades.
