AHMEDABAD: From Rekha’s memorable rendition of Kathak onscreen in 1981’s “Umrao Jaan” to the breathtaking choreography of a ‘stage full of dancers’ that she pioneered, Kumudini Lakhia‘s touch was unmissable in making Kathak a force to reckon with in India’s classical dance scene. Kumiben, as she was fondly known to her scores of students across the globe, breathed her last in the city early on Saturday at the age of 94 due to age-related health issues.
She would have turned 95 next month, said her students. Her last rites were performed on Saturday afternoon in the presence of her friends, family, and students.
A doyen of the Kathak dance form, she first gained fame as an exponent and later received adulation and acclaim as a guru whose watchful gaze at Kadamb created generations of performers. She was the recipient of the Padma Shri in 1987, the Padma Bhushan in 2010, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2025 for her contribution to the field of art.
PM Narendra Modi tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Kumudini Lakhia ji, who made a mark as an outstanding cultural icon. Her passion for Kathak and Indian classical dances was reflected in her remarkable work over the years. A true pioneer, she also nurtured generations of dancers. Her contributions will continue to be cherished. Condolences to her family, students, and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Chief minister Bhupendra Patel, in his tweet, termed her the pride of Gujarat and mentioned that she trained many students in the art and made the Kathak dance form proud in India and the world. Sangeet Natak Akademi, along with many dancers, choreographers, politicians, and prominent citizens, took to social media to celebrate her legacy.
Her disciple and renowned choreographer Aditi Mangaldas wrote on social media, “Your legacy will continue to light up the path, to inspire generations of dancers, and to help each one of us find our own dance within ourselves.”
Ishira Parikh, her disciple and renowned artist, told TOI that her legacy should be seen in breaking the existing moulds of the Kathak dance form with her work and bringing out a more vibrant interpretation. “Right from her ideas to her presentations, her work has deeply impacted generations of Kathak dancers,” she said.
Rupanshi Kashyap, part of the Kadamb family, said that she is a second-generation student of Lakhia as her mother was also trained under her. “Her teachings were not limited to dance, and she touched various facets of our lives with her ideas,” she said.
She would have turned 95 next month, said her students. Her last rites were performed on Saturday afternoon in the presence of her friends, family, and students.
A doyen of the Kathak dance form, she first gained fame as an exponent and later received adulation and acclaim as a guru whose watchful gaze at Kadamb created generations of performers. She was the recipient of the Padma Shri in 1987, the Padma Bhushan in 2010, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2025 for her contribution to the field of art.
PM Narendra Modi tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Kumudini Lakhia ji, who made a mark as an outstanding cultural icon. Her passion for Kathak and Indian classical dances was reflected in her remarkable work over the years. A true pioneer, she also nurtured generations of dancers. Her contributions will continue to be cherished. Condolences to her family, students, and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Chief minister Bhupendra Patel, in his tweet, termed her the pride of Gujarat and mentioned that she trained many students in the art and made the Kathak dance form proud in India and the world. Sangeet Natak Akademi, along with many dancers, choreographers, politicians, and prominent citizens, took to social media to celebrate her legacy.
Her disciple and renowned choreographer Aditi Mangaldas wrote on social media, “Your legacy will continue to light up the path, to inspire generations of dancers, and to help each one of us find our own dance within ourselves.”
Ishira Parikh, her disciple and renowned artist, told TOI that her legacy should be seen in breaking the existing moulds of the Kathak dance form with her work and bringing out a more vibrant interpretation. “Right from her ideas to her presentations, her work has deeply impacted generations of Kathak dancers,” she said.
Rupanshi Kashyap, part of the Kadamb family, said that she is a second-generation student of Lakhia as her mother was also trained under her. “Her teachings were not limited to dance, and she touched various facets of our lives with her ideas,” she said.