Shri Adyar K. Lakshman (b.1933) hails from Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh in India. He began his education in Fine Arts at age 11 at the renowned institution, Kalakshetra, in Madras (currently known as Chennai) under the legendary dancer Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale. He obtained training in Bharatha Natyam, Vocal Music, Mridangam playing, and Nattuvangam. Apart from mastering the art of Bharatanatyam, he also trained in Kathakali (another classical dance form of India) under such gurus as Shri.Ambu Panicker and Shri. Chandu Panicker. Later on he taught Dance, Music, Mridangam, Nattuvangam, and Sanskrit at Kalakshetra itself from 1956 till 1969. In 1969 he established his own institution called Bharatha Choodamani Academy of Fine Arts wherein he continued the Kalakshetra tradition in teaching his students. He has trained hundreds of students.
Shri Adyar K. Lakshman is one of India's foremost nattuvanars with a reputation for providing forceful and engaging rhythmic support to dancers. He has traveled all over India and many foreign countries. He has sung and performed nattuvangam for several dancers of repute.
He is a recipient of several awards. Notable among them are: Padma Shree, Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Kalaimaamani award from the Tamil Nadu government, and Natya Ratna. He has choreographed several dance compositions, and dance dramas such as "Chandalika", and "Azhagar Kuravanchi". Many of his senior disciples have established teaching institutions around the world.
In (2003) Adyar K. Lakshman has been honored with the coveted title of "Sangeetha Kala Acharya" from the prestigious Music Academy in Chennai. In addition, the Indian Fine Arts Society of Chennai deemed it fit to confer the title of "Natya Kala Sikhamani" on him.
Bharadwaj Family is donating the first Prize of Natya Idol Group 3.
We are very grateful for this support. They are donating this in the name of their beloved Guru - Padmashri Adyar K Lakshmanan. Below is this legendary teacher's achievements and contributions to Bharathanatyam.