Kalamandalam Leelamma

Who is Kalamandalam Leelamma?

Kalamandalam Leelamma is a leading Mohiniyattom dancer from Kerala, India. One of the country's foremost Mohiniyattam exponents, she hails from Kottayam district in Kerala. She joined Kerala Kalamandalam as a student with distinction. Before joining Kalamandalam she had lessons in classical dance under a local guru. She had intensive lessons in mohiniyattam, bharatanatyam and kuchipudi under Kalamandalam Sathyabhama, A. R. R. Bhaskar and Kalamandalam chandrika. She passed out with flying colours.

She joined Kalamandalam as a teacher at the age of 18. Even in the days of her studies she was known as one of the best dancers among contemporaries in the dance Troupe of Kalamandalam. She specialised in Mohiniyattam and had conducted research studies and is still continuing her researches.

She has represented Kerala in many national and international dance festivals over the past three decades.

Excellence in facial expressions, well disciplined in karanas and innovations in her approach to art, Prof. Leelamma reflects at large the strength of tradition and grace of classical simplicity in mohiniyattam. She has won several recognitions such as Kendra Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Kerala Sangeet Natak Academi Award,Kerala kalamandalam award,Kaladarpanam award etc. She is one of the few senior artists in Mohiniyattam who has a host of talented disciples both in India and abroad.