Nirmala Paniker | |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 February 1944 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Mohiniyattam dancer, choreographer, teacher |
| Known for | Contributions to Mohiniyattam, founding Natanakaisiki |
| Spouse | G. Venu |
| Children | Kapila Venu |
| Awards | Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2009) |
Nirmala Paniker (born 12 February 1944) is an Indian Mohiniyattam dancer, choreographer, and teacher, known for her contributions to the preservation and development of the Mohiniyattam dance form. [1] She is the founder of Natanakaisiki, a centre in Irinjalakuda, Kerala, dedicated to the training and promotion of Mohiniyattam and other traditional performing arts such as Koodiyattam and Nangiar Koothu. [1] She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2009 for her work in Mohiniyattam. [2]
Nirmala Paniker was born on 12 February 1944 in Kovalam, then part of Travancore, to Chellamma and Madhava Paniker. [1] She began training in Mohiniyattam at the age of five under Guru Thottasseri Madhavan Paniker Asan and later under Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, a prominent Mohiniyattam exponent. [1] [3] She also trained in Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, and Carnatic music, which influenced her choreography and teaching. [1]
Nirmala Paniker is married to G. Venu, a Kathakali, Koodiyattam exponent, and they have one daughter Kapila Venu. [4]
Nirmala established Natanakaisiki, [5] the dance research and training wing of Natanakairali, which trains under Gurukulam system, founded in 1994, [6] in Irinjalakuda, Kerala, to promote Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, and Nangiar Koothu. [1] [7] Her work focuses on reviving traditional elements of Mohiniyattam while introducing choreographies rooted in its indigenous vocabulary. [7] [8] She has choreographed notable works such as Geethagovinda Saptam, based on Jayadeva's Gita Govinda , and an adaptation of Sree Narayana Guru's Kundalini Paattu for Mohiniyattam. [9] [10]
Natanakairali has trained numerous dancers and staged performances that highlight the lyrical and expressive qualities of Mohiniyattam. [7] [11] [12] Paniker’s choreography for productions like Radha-Madhavam and Krishnanattam has been noted for its adherence to traditional aesthetics while exploring new themes. [13] [14] Her performances have been described as embodying the grace and fluidity characteristic of Mohiniyattam. [15] [12] She has also authored a book on Mohiniyattam, which serves as a resource for understanding the dance form’s history and techniques. [16]
Nirmala Paniker was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2009 for her contributions to Mohiniyattam. [2] She has also been recognised for her efforts in promoting traditional dance forms through Natanakairali and her scholarly work on Mohiniyattam. [1] [16]