Kumari Kamala
Kumari Kamala | |
---|---|
Mayuram, Madras Presidency | |
Nationality | Indian |
Other names | Baby Kamala, Kamla Laxman, Kamala Laxman, Kamala Lakshman, Kamala Narayan, Kamala Lakshmi Narayanan |
Occupation(s) | Dancer, actress |
Spouses |
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Kumari Kamala (born 16 June 1934) is an Indian dancer and actress (also known as Kamala Lakshman). Initially featured as a child dancer, Kamala appeared in almost 100
Early life and career
She was born at
In 1953, Kamala was invited to perform for Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation festivities.[3] In the late 1950s she toured internationally, performing in China and Japan. In 1970, the government of India awarded her the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award.[4] She also taught dance for two terms at Colgate University after being awarded its Branta Professorship in 1975. In 1980, Kamala moved to New York City permanently and began teaching classical dance.[5] She established a dance school in Long Island, Shri Bharatha Kamalalaya.[4] In 2010 she received a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts for her contributions to the arts.[6]
Personal life
Kamala married twice. Her first husband was the cartoonist R. K. Laxman. The marriage ended in divorce in 1960.[7]
This was one of the earliest divorces among the
The second marriage produced one child, a son named Jainand Narayan, who is an officer in the United States Army.[5]
Awards
- 1967 - Kalaimamani
- 1968 - Central Sangeet Natak AkademiAward
- 1970 - Padma Bhushan[9]
- 1975 - Branta Professorship from Colgate University
- 1989 - E. Krishna Iyer Medal from the Sruti Foundation
- 1993 - Sangeeta Ratnakara at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana
- 2002 - Platinum Jubilee award from Madras Music Academy
- 2010 - National Heritage Fellowship
- 2012 - Soorya Lifetime Achievement Award in 4th St. Louis Indian Dance Festival
Partial filmography
- 1938 Valibar Sangham
- 1938 Jailor
- 1939 Ramanama Mahimai
- 1941 Kanjan
- 1942 Chandni
- 1943 Kismet
- 1943 Ram Rajya
- 1944 Jagathalapratapan
- 1945 Sri Valli
- 1945 Meera
- 1945 En Magan
- 1947 Ekambavanan
- 1947 Katagam
- 1947 Mahathma Udangar
- 1947 Nam Iruvar
- 1948 Vedhala Ulagam
- 1950 Vijayakumari
- 1950 Digambara Samiyar
- 1951 Lavanya
- 1951 Devaki
- 1951 Mohana Sundaram
- 1952 Parasakthi
- 1953 Manithan
- 1953 Ulagam
- 1954 Vilayattu Bommai
- 1954 Manohara Tamil/Telugu/Hindi
- 1956 Devta
- 1956 Naane Raja
- 1956 Chori Chori
- 1956 Kula Dheivam
- 1956 Charana Daasi
- 1957 Kathputli
- 1958 Bhookailas
- 1958 Thirumanam
- 1958 Illarame Nallaram
- 1958 Yahudi
- 1959 Sivagangai Seemai
- 1959 Naach Ghar
- 1959 Naya Sansar
- 1960 Parthiban Kanavu
- 1960 Paavai Vilakku
- 1960 Veerakkanal
- 1961 Bhakta Kuchela
- 1961 Saugandh
- 1962 Konjum Salangai
- 1962 Sumaithaangi
- 1971 Jwala
- 1973 Chenda
References
- ISBN 81-7436-078-6.
- ^ a b Guy, Randor (7 January 2002). "She danced her way to stardom". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 March 2002. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
- ^ Cour, Aparna; Ajīta Kaura (1976). Directory of Indian women today. India International Publications. p. 28.
- ^ a b Kumar, Ranee (14 July 2006). "The danseuse from 'Kismet'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 July 2007. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ a b "'Kumari' Kamala Bharatanatyam Dancer". Kutcher Buzz.com. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "Kamala Lakshmi Narayanan: Bharatanatyam Indian dancer". www.arts.gov. National Endowment for the Arts. n.d. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ De, Shobhaa (31 January 2015). "An 'uncommon' marriage: RK Laxman and Kamala". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ "Interview: Kamala Lakshman, Bharatanatyam dancer & Guru". Narthaki. August 2000. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.