Padma Vibhushan Kathak pioneer Kumudini Lakhia passes away

Noted Kathak dancer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Kumudini Lakhia passed away in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on 12 April 2025. Kumudini Lakhiai, known for introducing new concepts in Kathak, was 95 years old and suffered from age-related complications.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and called her an outstanding cultural icon of India.

Her death was also condoled by President Droupadi Murmu, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, among others.

About Kumudini Lakhia 

Kumudini Lakhia, affectionately called Kumiben, was born on 17 May 1930 in Ahmedabad. She was initially trained under Pandit Sundar Prasad of the Jaipur Gharana. Later, she learned the dance from Pandit Shambhu Maharaj of the Lucknow gharana and worked with Pandit Birju Maharaj.

She modernised Katahak while retaining its traditional roots. She developed new techniques, vocabulary, and expressions in Kathak, transforming the classical dance form.

She founded the Kadamb Centre for Dance and Music in Ahmedabad in 1964 and trained a generation of Kathak dancers.

As a choreographer 

Apart from her stage performance, Kumdini Lakhia was also a noted choreographer. She and Gopi Krishan choreographed the film actress Rekha in the National Award-winning film ’ Umrao Jaan’ of Muzaffar Ali.  

She also performed in India and abroad. She also delivered lectures on creativity and dance performance at universities across India, Europe and the United States of America.

Award and Recognition 

During her acclaimed Kathak dancing and teaching career, Kumudini Lakhia was honoured with various awards.

Some of the important ones are as follows:

Padma Vibhushan 2025- Indian second-highest civilian award. 

Padma Bhushan 2010- India’s third highest civilian award 

Padma Shri 1987- India’s fourth highest civilian award

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1982

Kalidasa  Samman 2022-03- The Madhya Pradesh government gives the award

About Kathak Dance 

Kathak is one of the eight classical dances recognised by the government of India. The others are Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Bharatnatyam(Tamil Nadu), Manipuri (Manipur), Sattriya (Assam), Odissi (Odisha), Mohiniyattam and Kathakali of Kerala.

Kathak is a combination of Katha and Kathakar(storyteller). The dancers tell the story through dance moves. The story is mainly about Krishna-Radha and Shiva-Parvati, among others. 

North India is the origin of Kathak, which the Mughals later enriched. It is the only classical dance form, enriched by Muslim culture.

The Kathak has three main Gharanas- Awadh, Jaipur, and Benaras. The last Nawab of Oudh (Awad), Wajid Ali Shah, founded the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak.

The most famous contemporary exponent of Kathak is Pandit Birju Maharaj.