Natyacharya Award – Nrithyakala Surabhi, International Classical Dance Festival

Lekha Thankachy

Born in a reputed family of performing artists in Cherthala, Kerala, she took to dancing at the tender age of seven. Her initial lessons in classical dance were taken from Sri.Ambalappuzha Krishnankutty Master, at his dance school attached to the Kanichukulangara Temple. Acquiring a firm grounding in classical dance, she joined the Sri Swathi Thirunal Colege of Music, Thiruvananthapuram, for the Natanabhooshanam Diploma Course in 1967. This paved the way for her exposure to Kerala Natanam, the unique dance form of Kerala. She had the fortune of learning this art from leading exponents such as Sri.Sankarankutty, Sri.Tripunithura Vijayabhanu, Smt.K.Saraswathy Amma and Smt.Subhadramma. She also furthered her Bharata Natyam knowledge from the renowned maestro Sri. Nattuvam Paramasiva Menon. A briliant student, she completed the diploma with first rank.