Yamini Krishnamurthy, a name synonymous with Indian classical dance, has passed away at the age of 84. Born in 1940 in Madanapalle, Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Krishnamurthy made her debut in 1957 at the age of 17 in Madras. Renowned for her mastery of the Kuchipudi dance form, she was celebrated as a torchbearer of the tradition and earned the rare distinction of being a court dancer for the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Throughout her illustrious career, Krishnamurthy also played a pivotal role in nurturing future generations of dancers through her teaching at the Yamini School of Dance in Delhi’s Hauz Khas. Her contributions to the arts were recognized with numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri in 1968, the Padma Bhushan in 2001, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016. Her legacy remains influential as many of her students have risen to prominence as distinguished artists.