About
Biography
Chandrabhaga Devi was a Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher associated with the early development of Bharatanatyam in Karnataka during the mid-20th century. At a time when classical dance was not widely accepted among “respectable” families, she was among the first women in Karnataka to pursue Bharatanatyam as a performance career, contributing to a shift in social attitudes toward the art form.
She and her husband, U. S. Krishna Rao, became one of the first well-known dance couples in the state. Together, they founded the dance institution Maha Maya in Bengaluru, which functioned as a center for training, choreography, lecture-demonstrations, and performances. The institution attracted students from across India and later internationally.
Chandrabhaga Devi was particularly known for her strength in abhinaya (the expressive aspect of dance). Her teaching emphasized clarity of meaning, attention to expression, posture, and individual grooming of students. Training at Maha Maya followed a gurukula-style approach, combining practical instruction with dance theory and cultural education.
Many of her students later became recognized dancers and teachers, including figures such as Sonal Mansingh, Sudharani Raghupathy, and Prathibha Prahlad, among others. Through her work, Bharatanatyam gained greater visibility and social acceptance in Karnataka.
She also served in an administrative capacity as Chairperson of the Karnataka Sangeeta Nritya Academy, during which period festivals, workshops, and outreach activities were expanded. Publications and documentation initiatives related to dance were also strengthened.
Chandrabhaga Devi is remembered for her role in pedagogy, institution-building, and supporting the wider cultural community. Her contribution helped lay a foundation for the growth of Bharatanatyam in Karnataka and for subsequent generations of dancers.