A Celebration of Dance Legends

Explore the illustrious careers of India's classical dancers and the prestigious awards they've received for their contributions to art and culture.

Name Dance Form Year Awarded Award Received
Rukmini Devi Arundale Bharatanatyam 1956 Padma Bhushan
Rukmini Devi Arundale Bharatanatyam 1968 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Mrinalini Sarabhai Bharatanatyam 1965 Padma Shri
Mrinalini Sarabhai Bharatanatyam 1992 Padma Bhushan
Sonal Mansingh Bharatanatyam, Odissi 1987 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sonal Mansingh Bharatanatyam, Odissi 1992 Padma Bhushan
Sonal Mansingh Bharatanatyam, Odissi 2003 Padma Vibhushan
Pandit Birju Maharaj Kathak 1964 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Pandit Birju Maharaj Kathak 1986 Padma Vibhushan
Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi 1966 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi 1974 Padma Shri
Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi 1988 Padma Bhushan
Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi 2000 Padma Vibhushan
Yamini Krishnamurthy Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi 1968 Padma Shri
Yamini Krishnamurthy Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi 1977 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Yamini Krishnamurthy Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi 2001 Padma Bhushan
Yamini Krishnamurthy Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi 2016 Padma Vibhushan
Padma Subrahmanyam Bharatanatyam 1981 Padma Shri
Padma Subrahmanyam Bharatanatyam 2003 Padma Bhushan
Vempati Chinna Satyam Kuchipudi 1972 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Vempati Chinna Satyam Kuchipudi 1998 Padma Bhushan
Mallika Sarabhai Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi 2010 Padma Bhushan

This table highlights some of the most celebrated dancers in Indian classical traditions. Their awards reflect decades of dedication and artistry.