Born on 17 May 1930 in Bombay, Shrimati Kumudini Lakhia is one of the foremost dancers of
Kathak today. She is the distinguished disciple of renowned traditional Kathak gurus like
Shambhu Maharaj, Birju Maharaj (both of Lucknow gharana), Sunder Prasad, Radha Lal
Mishra (of Jaipur gharana) and Ashiq Hussain (of Banaras gharana).
In her capacity as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer she has held many prestigious positions.
She was Vice President of the International Dance Council (UNESCO). Her
choreographic works, such as Dwidha and Atah-kim, tried to achieve a synthesis of traditional
techniques and modern themes. These choreographies are now considered classic, and many of
the innovations she premiered in them have become ingrained in Kathak performance.
She has received many awards and honours such as the Padma Shri, Kalidas Samman, Nagar
Bhushan, Omkarnath Thakore Award, Ahmedabad City Award, the Gujarat State Sangeet
Natak Akademi Award for dance in 1978, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award of 1982, and the
Padma Bhushan in 2010.
Shrimati Kumudini Lakhia is elected Tagore Fellow of Sangeet Natak Akademi for her
contribution to Indian dance.