Padma Vibhushan Kumudini Lakhia was the grand matriarch of modern Kathak

The world of Indian classical dance lost a luminous star on Saturday morning with the passing of legendary Kathak exponent Kumudini Lakhia, at the age of 95. Just weeks after being honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, the iconic dancer and choreographer breathed her last in Ahmedabad — the city that witnessed her transformation from a solo performer to a revolutionary force who forever altered the language of Kathak.

The Architect of Group Choreography in Kathak

For centuries, Kathak was synonymous with solo expression. Kumudini Lakhia dared to question this norm, and in doing so, created an entirely new aesthetic. As early as the 1960s and ’70s, she began exploring the potential of ensemble storytelling, filling the stage with vibrant patterns, interwoven narratives, and intricate rhythmic dialogues. With her deeply rooted knowledge in the classical idiom and an uncompromising creative vision, she made group choreography in Kathak not just acceptable — but celebrated.

“Solo Kathak had developed too much gimmickry,” she once said candidly at a Natyakala conference in 2001. “The way it was presented needed a lot of consideration… In my vision, I saw the entire stage filled with dancers, patterns of colours, music which had musicality and not just an accompanying element.”

A Life in Service of Dance

After nearly seven decades of solo performances across the globe, Lakhia founded the Kadamb Centre for Dance and Music in 1967 in Ahmedabad — a humble beginning that grew into one of the most influential institutions for Kathak training and innovation. Kadamb nurtured generations of dancers and became a crucible of experimentation, freedom, and excellence.

Among her many contributions to mainstream culture, one remains unforgettable — her sensitive and elegant choreography for Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan (1981), starring Rekha. Her work brought Kathak to Indian cinema with a lyrical finesse that remains unmatched.

Tributes Pour in for the legendary Guru, A Trailblazer, A Legend

Condolences came in from across the nation, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called her “an outstanding cultural icon… a true pioneer who nurtured generations of dancers,” and President Droupadi Murmu, who praised her “Innovative contemporary interpretations” and her mentoring of countless students through Kadamb.

Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat remarked, “Her passing away leaves the entire world of Kathak and Indian classical dance bereaved. Her contribution towards redefining Kathak vocabulary remains unparalleled.”

Sandhya Purecha, Chairperson Sangeet Natak Akademi called her “Synonymous with fearless experimentation,” while Shovana Narayan, reminiscing her long association through Pt. Birju Maharaj, acknowledged Lakhia’s lasting impact on Kathak’s form, presentation, and aesthetic. “Rekha and Umrao Jaan cannot be complete without mention of Kumudini ji’s choreography.”

Padma Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh said, “Kumiben was a bright star in the firmament of Indian dance, she was a beacon of research, thoughtfulness and creativity inspiring generation of dancers. We always looked forward to her extraordinary shows, her contribution will never be forgotten. She lived a fruitful and very creative life, may her soul find peace in the realm of light.”

Vijayshree Chaudhary, Kathak exponent, praised Lakhia’s innovations in costume design, modern poetry, and refined stage presence, she said, “Kumudini ji elevated the Kathak costume and enhanced the art form’s beauty in a profound way.”

Her students, many of whom are now celebrated dancers in their own right, remember her not just as a guru but as a guide who led them to find their own voices. Aditi Mangaldas, one of her most accomplished disciples, said, “Thank you for being our guiding light and for giving ‘meaning’ to the life of so many of us across the globe… I know Kumiben would have said ‘Aditi! Don’t mourn! Celebrate my life—celebrate dance!”

Internationally, she was compared to Martha Graham, a nod to her stature as a modernist in the classical realm.

A Lasting Legacy

Kumudini Lakhia’s dance was more than just performance — it was philosophy, rebellion, elegance, and a lifelong devotion to art. She was a woman ahead of her time, a relentless dreamer, and a fearless creator who redefined the soul of Kathak without ever compromising its spirit.

Kumudini ji was a trailblazer who revolutionised the world of Kathak with her bold vision and innovative spirit. She redefined the traditional solo format by introducing group choreography, creating a dynamic and visually rich experience that captivated audiences worldwide. Her deep understanding of rhythm, movement, and storytelling allowed her to elevate Kathak into a powerful medium of artistic expression. As the founder of Kadamb Centre for Dance, she mentored generations of dancers, leaving behind a legacy rooted in excellence, experimentation, and grace. Her contribution to Indian classical dance remains unmatched and will be celebrated for generations to come.

She is survived by her daughter Maitreyi Hattangadi, an acclaimed dancer, and a son who lives in Australia. Lakhia was not just a dancer — she was a movement. Her physical presence may be gone, but her essence will forever echo in the rhythm of ghungroos and the hearts of those she inspired.

Shraddhanjali, Kumiben. Your dance lives on. Om Shanti.

Sandip Soparrkar holds a doctorate in world mythology folklore from Pacific University USA, an honorary doctorate in performing arts from the National American University, He is a World Book Record holder, a well-known Ballroom dancer and a Bollywood choreographer who has been honored with three National Excellence awards, one National Achievement Award and Dada Saheb Phalke award by the Government of India. He can be contacted on sandipsoparrkar06@gmail.com