Smt. Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia, celebrated Kathak dancer and choreographer, and a cultural luminary from Gujarat, passed away peacefully at her Ahmedabad residence this morning due to age-related ailments. She was 95 .
A recipient of the nation’s highest accolades in dance—including the Padma Shri (1987), Padma Bhushan (2010), and most recently, the prestigious Padma Vibhushan on Republic Day 2025—Smt. Lakhia was revered as “India’s own Martha Graham” for revolutionizing Kathak not only as a solo art but as a dynamic group performance.
In 1967, she founded the Kadamb Centre for Dance and Music in Ahmedabad, through which she pushed Kathak beyond traditional storytelling. By 1973, Smt. Lakhia’s groundbreaking choreography—works like Dhabkar, Yugal, and Atah Kim—blended classical technique with contemporary narratives and innovative staging. Her artistic reach extended to cinema, where she choreographed key dance sequences in the iconic film Umrao Jaan (1981).
Her contributions earned the admiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called her an “outstanding cultural icon” whose legacy continues to inspire generations. President Droupadi Murmu praised her transformative impact on the arts and expressed heartfelt condolences . Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described her as “the pride of Gujarat and India”.
Smt. Lakhia nurtured a legacy of excellence at Kadamb, mentoring notable dancers such as Aditi Mangaldas, Daksha Sheth, and Maitreyi Hattangadi, while also expanding Kathak’s presence in Japan and Europe. In 2021, she was honored with the prestigious Dhirubhai Thakar Savyasachi Saraswat Award for her lifelong dedication to the arts.
Her final rites were held in Ahmedabad, with a condolence meeting scheduled later in the week. A towering figure in Indian dance, Smt. Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia leaves behind a profound legacy of innovation, artistic excellence, and cultural pride, both in Gujarat and across the world.
- Founded Kadamb Centre (Ahmedabad) in 1967; revolutionized Kathak performances
- Choreographed for Umrao Jaan (1981)
- Padma awards: Shri, Bhushan, and Vibhushan; Dhirubhai Thakar Award
- Admired by national leaders—PM, President, CM—for shaping India’s cultural identity
Her creative spirit continues to resonate through the many lives she inspired and the art she forever transformed.
