Veteran Mohiniyattam exponent and teacher Kalamandalam Vimala Menon will receive the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Indian classical dance and cultural preservation. The award crowns more than six decades of dedicated service to the promotion of Mohiniyattam, Kerala’s graceful classical dance form.
Born on January 7, 1943, in Irinjalakuda in Kerala’s Thrissur district, Vimala Menon developed an interest in classical arts at a young age. She received her initial training in dance under Tripunithura Vijaya Bhanu and studied Carnatic music before joining Kerala Kalamandalam, the state’s premier institution for classical arts. There, she underwent rigorous training in Mohiniyattam under legendary gurus Thottassery Chinnammu Amma and Kalamandalam Satyabhama, while also studying Bharatanatyam.
After completing her studies, she began her career as a dance teacher and performer. Following her marriage to Viswanatha Menon in 1966, she spent several years in Bhutan, where she taught Indian classical dance and introduced audiences there to South Indian cultural traditions. Her efforts helped carry Kerala’s artistic heritage beyond India’s borders.
Returning to Kerala, Vimala Menon founded the Kerala Natya Academy in Thiruvananthapuram, which has since become a respected centre for classical dance training. Over the decades, she has trained thousands of students and played a crucial role in nurturing new generations of dancers. She has often said that her students are her greatest achievement, crediting them for the recognition she has received.
Beyond performance and teaching, Vimala Menon has contributed significantly to research and documentation in the field of dance. Her work has helped preserve traditional forms and ensure their relevance for contemporary audiences. Her contributions have been recognised through numerous honours, including the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Kerala Kalamandalam Award and the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship.
At the age of 84, Vimala Menon remains a revered figure in India’s cultural landscape. The Padma Shri acknowledges not only her artistic excellence but also her lifelong commitment to preserving and promoting Mohiniyattam. For generations of dancers and art lovers, she stands as a symbol of dedication, discipline and the enduring beauty of Kerala’s classical traditions.
