Nirmala Paniker
{{Short description|Indian Mohiniyattam dancer (born 1944)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Nirmala Paniker
| image =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1944|02|12|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Kovalam, Travancore
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Mohiniyattam dancer, choreographer, teacher
| known_for = Contributions to Mohiniyattam, founding Natanakairali
| awards = Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2009)
}}
Nirmala Paniker (born 12 February 1944) is an Indian Mohiniyattam dancer, choreographer, and teacher, known for her contributions to the preservation and development of the Mohiniyattam dance form.{{Cite web |title=Profile: Nirmala Paniker |url=https://narthaki.com/info/profiles/profl242.html |website=Narthaki.com |access-date=2025-05-22}} She is the founder of Natanakairali, a centre in Irinjalakuda, Kerala, dedicated to the training and promotion of Mohiniyattam and other traditional performing arts such as Koodiyattam and Nangiar Koothu. She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2009 for her work in Mohiniyattam.{{Cite web |title=Nirmala Paniker - Sangeet Natak Akademi Award |url=https://www.sangeetnatak.gov.in/public/uploads/awardees/docs/1740996233_Nirmala%20Paniker_11zon.pdf |website=Sangeet Natak Akademi |access-date=2025-05-22}}
Early life
Nirmala Paniker was born on 12 February 1944 in Kovalam, then part of Travancore, to Chellamma and Madhava Paniker. She began training in Mohiniyattam at the age of five under Guru Thottasseri Madhavan Paniker Asan and later under Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, a prominent Mohiniyattam exponent.{{Cite web |title=Mohiniyattam: History and Development |url=https://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/epgpdata/uploads/epgp_content/S000451PA/P001552/M018106/ET/1481009056P5M14TEXT.pdf |website=e-PG Pathshala |access-date=2025-05-22}} She also trained in Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, and Carnatic music, which influenced her choreography and teaching.
Career
Paniker established Natanakairali in 1975 in Irinjalakuda, Kerala, to promote Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, and Nangiar Koothu.{{Cite news |title=Dancers of Natanakairali presented an inspiring Mohiniyattam recital |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/dancers-of-natanakairali-presented-an-inspiring-mohiniyattam-recital-that-was-choreographed-in-the-indigenous-vocabulary-of-the-dance-form-by-guru-nirmala-paniker/article24096142.ece |work=The Hindu |date=2018-05-03 |access-date=2025-05-22}} Her work focuses on reviving traditional elements of Mohiniyattam while introducing choreographies rooted in its indigenous vocabulary.{{Cite news |title=Nirmala Paniker: People tell me that desi Mohiniyattam is a lot more enjoyable |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/nirmala-paniker-people-tell-me-that-desi-mohiniyattam-is-a-lot-more-enjoyable-than-the-conventional-form/articleshow/64542379.cms |work=The Times of India |date=2018-06-04 |access-date=2025-05-22}} She has choreographed notable works such as Geethagovinda Saptam, based on Jayadeva's Gita Govinda, and an adaptation of Sree Narayana Guru's Kundalini Paattu for Mohiniyattam.{{Cite news |title=Staging of Geethagovinda Saptam, a new choreography by Nirmala Panicker |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/dance/staging-of-geethagovinda-saptam-a-new-choreography-by-mohiniyattam-guru-nirmala-panicker/article8413502.ece |work=The Hindu |date=2016-03-25 |access-date=2025-05-22}}{{Cite news |title=Sandra Pisharody to stage Nirmala Paniker's adaptation of Sree Narayana Guru's Kundalini Paattu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/sandra-pisharody-to-stage-nirmala-panikers-adaptation-of-sree-narayana-gurus-kundalini-paattu-in-mohiniyattam-format/article25731581.ece |work=The Hindu |date=2018-12-21 |access-date=2025-05-22}}
Natanakairali has trained numerous dancers and staged performances that highlight the lyrical and expressive qualities of Mohiniyattam.{{Cite news |title=Devoted to art |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/dance/devoted-to-art/article2737968.ece |work=The Hindu |date=2011-12-23 |access-date=2025-05-22}}{{Cite web |title=Review: Natanakairali's Mohiniyattam recital |url=https://narthaki.com/info/rev23/rev2961.html |website=Narthaki |date=2023-09-15 |access-date=2025-05-22}} Paniker’s choreography for productions like Radha-Madhavam and Krishnanattam has been noted for its adherence to traditional aesthetics while exploring new themes.{{Cite news |title=Recreating the eternal romance |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/dance/recreating-the-eternal-romance/article6441984.ece |work=The Hindu |date=2014-09-26 |access-date=2025-05-22}}{{Cite news |title=Lasya at its best |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2014/Dec/05/lasya-at-its-best-690457.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=2014-12-05 |access-date=2025-05-22}} Her performances have been described as embodying the grace and fluidity characteristic of Mohiniyattam.{{Cite news |title=Feats of grace |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/dance/feats-of-grace/article2128702.ece |work=The Hindu |date=2011-09-16 |access-date=2025-05-22}} She has also authored a book on Mohiniyattam, which serves as a resource for understanding the dance form’s history and techniques.{{Cite web |title=Book Review: Mohiniyattam by Nirmala Paniker |url=https://indianculture.gov.in/book-review |website=Indian Culture |access-date=2025-05-22}}
Awards and recognition
Nirmala Paniker was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2009 for her contributions to Mohiniyattam. She has also been recognised for her efforts in promoting traditional dance forms through Natanakairali and her scholarly work on Mohiniyattam.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://narthaki.com/info/profiles/profl242.html|Profile of Nirmala Paniker on Narthaki}}