Alarmel Valli

Alarmel Valli holds the distinction of being the leading proponent of the Pandanallur tradition in Bharatanatyam. People have applauded her for bringing depth, passion and spontaneity into her work. One of the most creative artists of today, Alarmel Valli became the youngest dancer to be conferred with Padma Shri award. She has performed in almost all the major festivals in India and has also displayed her talent in most of the cultural capitals of the world. Read on further to explore the complete biography cum life history of Alarmel Valli.

Alarmel Valli was born in the year 1957 and developed an interest in dance right from her childhood. She received formal training in dance by the renowned guru Shri Chokkalingam Pillai and his son Shri Subbaraya Pillai. Thereafter, Alarmel came under the tutelage of Smt. T. Mukha and studied Padams and Javalis for many years. She learnt Odissi from Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and his disciple, Guru Ramani Ranjan Jena. At the young age of 16 years, Valli was invited to perform at the International Dance Festival of the Sarah Bernardt Theatre De La Ville, in Paris.

Then onwards, started her journey as on one of the internationally recognized dancers of India. She has been touring since then, on a regular basis, and has received acclamation for her dance performances in leading theatres throughout the world. Alarmel Valli is also involved in lecture demonstrations, classes, workshops and seminars. She is responsible for creating an international awareness about Bharatanatyam. Alarmel Valli founded 'Dipashikha', a Center for Performing Arts, in the year 1984. The center was set up with the aim of imparting training to promising new artists.

Alarmel Valli has involved herself in research work, for around 12 years, on classical Tamil anthologies of Sangam poetry. She has tried to use dance performances for bringing the beauty of the poem in front of the people. Her own distinct style, which emerged as a result of her practice as well as research, has enriched the domain of Bharatanatyam. Alarmel has brought a contemporary interpretation to the traditional framework of classical Indian dance. Presently, she is staying abroad, with her husband Bhaskar Ghosh, former I&B secretary and former director general of Doordarshan

Honors and Awards