About
Biography
Kalamandalam Kshemavathy (born 1948 in Thrissur, Kerala) is an Indian classical dancer associated with the Mohiniyattam tradition. She received her early training at Kerala Kalamandalam, joining the institution at the age of ten. After completing her studies there, she pursued advanced training in Bharatanatyam under Muthuswamy Pillai and Chitra Visweswaran and also studied Kuchipudi under Vempati Chinna Satyam. Despite this diverse training, she chose to focus primarily on Mohiniyattam and became one of its leading exponents.
Kshemavathy is widely recognized for her emphasis on abhinaya (expressive storytelling) and for her commitment to preserving the classical grammar of Mohiniyattam. Her performances often interpret literary works and poetry, and she has created visual dance interpretations for numerous Malayalam poems and classical texts. Through her choreographies and teaching, she has contributed to the presentation and continued development of the Mohiniyattam repertoire.
Over the course of her career, Kalamandalam Kshemavathy has received several honors for her contributions to Indian classical dance, including the Padma Shri in 2011 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. She has also been recognized by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, receiving both its award and fellowship. As a teacher and mentor, she continues to train students from India and abroad, contributing to the global appreciation of Mohiniyattam.