AlfonzoGuess50 at 14:55, 21 March 2026

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{{Short description|Classical dancer of Mohiniyattom, choreographer and author (Born: 1948)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Bharati Shivaji
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birth_date = 1948
| birth_place = [[Kumbakonam]], [[Tanjavur district]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| restingplace =
| restingplacecoordinates =
| othername =
| occupation = Classical dancer
| yearsactive =
| known for = [[Mohiniyattom]]
| spouse =
| domesticpartner =
| child = Vijayalakshmi
| parents =
| website =
| awards = [[Padma Shri]]<br />[[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]<br />Lasya Lakshmi<br />[[Sahitya Kala Parishad]] Samman<br />Nritya Choodamani
}}
'''Bharati Shivaji''' is an Indian classical dancer of [[Mohiniyattom]],<ref name="Heritage Club IIT Roorkee">{{cite web | url=http://www.iitr.ac.in/spicmacay/wincon.html | title=Heritage Club IIT Roorkee | publisher=Heritage Club IIT Roorkee | date=2015 | access-date=26 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126225831/http://www.iitr.ac.in/spicmacay/wincon.html | archive-date=2015-11-26 | url-status=dead }}</ref> choreographer and author, known for her contributions to the art form by way of performance, research and propagation.<ref name="Mohiniyattam (Bharati Shivaji and Vijayalakshmi)">{{cite web | url=https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/mohiniyattam-bharati-shivaji-and-vijayalakshmi-IDK992/ | title=Mohiniyattam (Bharati Shivaji and Vijayalakshmi) | publisher=Exotic India Art | date=2015 | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref> She is the founder of '' Center for Mohiniyattam'', a dance academy promoting [[Mohiniyattom]]<ref name="Classical Dancers of India">{{cite web | url=http://classicaldancers.weebly.com/bharati-shivaji.html | title=Classical Dancers of India | publisher=Classical dancers | date=2015 | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref> and the co-author of two books, ''Art of Mohiniyattom''<ref name="Art of Mohiniyattam">{{cite book | title=Art of Mohiniyattam | publisher=Lancer, India | author=Bharati Shivaji, Avinash Pasricha | year=1986 | pages=107 | isbn=978-8170620037}}</ref> and ''Mohiniyattom''.<ref name="Mohiniyattam">{{cite book | title=Mohiniyattam | publisher=Wisdom Tree | author=Bharati Shivaji, Vijayalakshmi | year=2003 | isbn=9788186685365}}</ref> She is a recipient of the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]<ref name="Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar">{{cite web | url=http://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/awardeeslist.htm#DanceBharatnatyam | title=Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar | publisher=Sangeet Natak Akademi | date=2015 | access-date=25 November 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331060603/http://www.sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/awardeeslist.htm#DanceBharatnatyam | archive-date=31 March 2016 }}</ref> and [[Sahitya Kala Parishad]] Samman.<ref name="Padmashri Bharati Shivaji">{{cite web | url=http://thiraseela.com/artist/profile.php?perfmrid=176 | title=Padmashri Bharati Shivaji | publisher=Thiraseela | date=2015 | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref> The Government of India awarded her the fourth highest civilian honour of the [[Padma Shri]], in 2004, for her contributions to Indian classical dance.<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web |url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2015 }}</ref>

== Biography ==
{{quote box|align = left|width=21em|''[[Mohiniyattam]] is one of the eight Indian classical dance forms recognized by the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]]. The term Mohiniyattam comes from the words "Mohini" (meaning a woman who enchants onlookers) and "attam" (meaning graceful and sensuous body movements). The word "Mohiniyattam" literally means "dance of the enchantress".''<ref name="Mohiniyattam-2">{{cite web | url=http://mohiniyattam.de/en/mohiniyattam | title=Mohiniyattam | publisher=Mohiniyattam.de | date=2015 | access-date=26 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413124141/http://mohiniyattam.de/en/mohiniyattam | archive-date=13 April 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
Bharati Shivaji was born in 1948 in the temple town of [[Kumbakonam]], in [[Tanjavur district]] of the south Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]],<ref name="Performers of Indian dances and music">{{cite web | url=http://www.indianembassy.ru/index.php/ru/media-news/78-cultural-centre/cultural-life/485-performers-of-indian-dances-and-music- | title=Performers of Indian dances and music | publisher=Indian Embassy, Russia | date=2015 | access-date=26 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127042927/http://www.indianembassy.ru/index.php/ru/media-news/78-cultural-centre/cultural-life/485-performers-of-indian-dances-and-music- | archive-date=27 November 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and had her early training in [[Bharatnatyam]] under Lalita Shastri<ref name="Bound to Kerala by Mohiniyattam">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/bound-to-kerala-by-mohiniyattam/article3428965.ece | title=Bound to Kerala by Mohiniyattam | newspaper=The Hindu | date=17 May 2012 | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref> and [[Odissi]] under [[Kelucharan Mohapatra]].<ref name="Time for Samvaad">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-mohiniyattam-collective-by-bharati-shivaji/article6636181.ece | title=Time for Samvaad | newspaper=The Hindu | date=16 November 2014 | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref> Later, on advice from [[Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay]], renowned social reformer, she took up research on [[Mohiniyattom]], the traditional dance form of [[Kerala]].<ref name="Padmashri Bharati Shivaji" /> After obtaining a research fellowship from [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]], she traveled to Kerala and pursued research under [[Kavalam Narayana Panicker]], a scholar of the [[Arts of Kerala|Temple Arts of Kerala]] and former vice-chairman of [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]].<ref name="From law to theatre">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2004/10/31/stories/2004103100780500.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226125822/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2004/10/31/stories/2004103100780500.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=26 February 2018 | title=From law to theatre | date=31 October 2004 | newspaper=[[The Hindu]] | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref> Shifting her focus from Bharatnatyam and Odissi,<ref name="Bound to Kerala by Mohiniyattam" /> she started training Mohiniyattom under Radha Marar and, later, under [[Kalamandalam Satyabhama]], and also had a training stint under [[Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma]],<ref name="Classical Dancers of India" /> considered by many as the ''Mother of Mohiniyattom''.<ref name="Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma">{{cite web | url=https://smitharajan.tripod.com/kalyanikuttyamma.html | title=Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma | publisher=Smith Rajan | date=2015 | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Moving to New Delhi, Shivaji founded the dance academy, ''Center for Mohiniyattom'', a dedicated facility for promoting the dance form. She is known to have contributed to the evolution of the dance tradition,<ref name="Padmashri Bharati Shivaji" /> by adding more languor to the already languorous discipline,<ref name="Bound to Kerala by Mohiniyattam" /> and by adapting it to other dance forms such as ballet; her Mohiniyattom adaptation of the [[Swan Lake]] of [[Tchaikovsky]], choreographed along with her daughter, Vijayalakshmi, is one such effort.<ref name="The power of grace">{{cite web | url=http://www.theacorn.com/news/2014-06-26/Community/The_power_of_grace.html | title=The power of grace | publisher=The Acorn | date=2015 | access-date=26 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127045202/http://www.theacorn.com/news/2014-06-26/Community/The_power_of_grace.html | archive-date=27 November 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Her productions include adaptations of ''Bhanusinger Padavali'' of [[Rabindranath Tagore]],<ref name="A seeker’s odyssey">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/a-seekers-odyssey/article7109601.ece | title=A seeker's odyssey | newspaper=The Hindu | date=16 April 2015 | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref> ''Chandrotsavam'' of the [[Manipravalam]], ''Somastuthi'' from the [[Rig Veda]], and the ''Devagita'', from [[Ashtapadi]].<ref name="Classical Dancers of India" /> She is known to have incorporated postures, movements and music from other Traditional art forms of Kerala such as [[Ottamthullal]], [[Kaikottikali]], [[Thayambaka]] and [[Krishnanattam]] into Mohiniyattom, a legacy from her tutelage under [[Kavalam Narayana Panicker]].<ref name="Mohiniattam Style">{{cite web | url=http://en.kuchipudi.ru/mohini_e.htm | title=Mohiniattam Style | publisher=Kuchipudi | date=2015 | access-date=26 November 2015 | archive-date=4 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204232931/http://en.kuchipudi.ru/mohini_e.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1986, Shivaji published his first book, Art of ''Mohiniyattam'', co-authored by Avinash Pasricha.<ref name="Art of Mohiniyattam" /> The book documents her researches under Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowship and a subsequent senior fellowship from the Department of Culture under the [[Ministry of Human Resource Development (India)|Ministry of Human Resource Development]] and is a reference book on the subject.<ref name="Padmashri Bharati Shivaji" /> She published another book, ''Mohiniyattam'', co-written by her daughter, Vijayalakshmi, herself a noted Mohiniyattom performer, in 2003.<ref name="Mohiniyattam" /> The book deals with the history and evolution of the art form and comments about the styles and techniques, repertoire, music, costumes and jewellery associated with it.<ref name="Mohiniyattam (Bharati Shivaji and Vijayalakshmi)" /> She has performed on several stages in India<ref name="BVB celebrates Munshi’s birthday">{{cite web | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/bvb-celebrates-munshi-s-birthday/story-U3kKcpLyDKFSrabe3isAZJ.html | title=BVB celebrates Munshi's birthday | newspaper=Hindustan Times | date=7 May 2013 | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="Bharati Shivaji to perform today">{{cite web | url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021019/cth2.htm | title=Bharati Shivaji to perform today | publisher=Tribune | date=18 October 2002 | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref> and abroad<ref name="Bollywood meets Holyrood">{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/aug/22/artsfeatures.bollywood | title=Bollywood meets Holyrood | newspaper=Guardian | date=22 August 2002 | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref> and has taught many Indian and foreign students.<ref name="Russian belle dons role of Radha in Kerala’s Mohiniattam">{{cite web | url=http://www.southasiamail.com/news.php?id=98165 | title=Russian belle dons role of Radha in Kerala's Mohiniattam | publisher=South Asia Mail | date=30 April 2008 | access-date=26 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127083602/http://www.southasiamail.com/news.php?id=98165 | archive-date=27 November 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref> She also continues her research by visiting temples and gives lecture-demonstrations on the dance form at conferences and seminars.<ref name="A seeker’s odyssey" />

== Awards and honours ==
Shivaji was awarded the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] in 1999–2000.<ref name="Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar" /> Four years later, the Government of India included her in the 2004 [[Indian honours system|Republic Day Honours]] list for the fourth highest civilian award of the [[Padma Shri]].<ref name="Padma Awards" /> She is a recipient of the [[Sahitya Kala Parishad]] Samman, ''Lasya Lakshmi'' title from Kunchan Nambiar Memorial Trust, Kerala and ''Nritya Choodamani'' title from the Krishna Gana Sabha, [[Chennai]].<ref name="Profile of Padmashree Bharti Shiwaji">{{cite web | url=http://spicmacay.apnimaati.com/2011/01/profile-of-padmashree-bharti-shiwaji.html | title=Profile of Padmashree Bharti Shiwaji | publisher=Spicmacay | date=2015 | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref> She won the [[Nishagandhi Puraskaram]] of the [[Government of Kerala]] in 2017.<ref name="ind2017">{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/nishagandhi-award-for-bharati-shivaji/articleshow/56653216.cms |title=Nishagandhi Award for Bharati Shivaji |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=2017-01-20 |access-date=2017-01-21 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180407053503/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/nishagandhi-award-for-bharati-shivaji/articleshow/56653216.cms |archive-date=2018-04-07 }}</ref>

Sara and Urs Baur, two American filmmakers, have made a documentary, ''Beyond Grace'', on Mohiniyattom and the art of Shivaji which features her daughter, Vijayalakshmi, too.<ref name="Docu on Mohiniyattam exponents to be screened">{{cite web | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article431296.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127020818/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article431296.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=27 November 2015 | title=Docu on Mohiniyattam exponents to be screened | publisher=Indian Express | date=7 July 2011 | access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref> The 78-minute film, which details the work of the mother-daughter combination,<ref name="Beyond Grace">{{cite web | url=http://www.beyondgracethemovie.com/bios | title=Beyond Grace | publisher=Beyond Grace the Movie | date=2015 | access-date=26 November 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127043518/http://www.beyondgracethemovie.com/bios | archive-date=27 November 2015 }}</ref> was premiered on 9 July 2011 at the Raleigh Theatre, [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], Los Angeles.<ref name="Docu on Mohiniyattam exponents to be screened" />

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book | title=Art of Mohiniyattam | publisher=Lancer, India | author=Bharati Shivaji, Avinash Pasricha | year=1986 | pages=107 | isbn=978-8170620037}}
* {{cite book | title=Mohiniyattam | publisher=Wisdom Tree | author=Bharati Shivaji, Vijayalakshmi | year=2003 | isbn=9788186685365}}

== See also ==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Mohiniyattom]]
* [[Kelucharan Mohapatra]]
* [[Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay]]
* [[Kavalam Narayana Panicker]]
* [[Kalamandalam Satyabhama]]
* [[Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma]]
{{div col end}}
{{Portal|India}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite interview | url=http://aswadanam.com/index.php/en/arts/83-mohiniyattam-main-articles/143-bharatai-sivaji | title=A tete a tete with Mohiniyattam exponent Bharati Shivaji | date=2 September 2014 | access-date=26 November 2015 | last=Bharati Shivaji | interviewer=Supriya Rajan | location=Sree Sankara School of Dance, Kalady, Kerala}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|4534406|Bharati Shivaji}}
* {{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4qs-NT4lxg | title=National dance fest : Bharati Shivaji (Mohiniyattam) | publisher=Kutcheri Buzz | work=[[YouTube]] video | date=19 October 2012 | access-date=25 November 2015}}
* {{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0hSYZMk8Ho | title=Geeta-Govinda Sopan (Mohiniyattam) performance by Padmashri Bharati Shivaji | publisher=Konchhok | work=[[YouTube]] video | date=21 February 2013 | access-date=25 November 2015}}
* {{cite web | url=http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/delhi-photos-1/#/dehli-bharati-shivaji_1855_600x450.jpg | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217175039/http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/delhi-photos-1/#/dehli-bharati-shivaji_1855_600x450.jpg | url-status=dead | archive-date=17 February 2010 | title=Bharati Shivaji and Dance Troupe | publisher=[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]] | date=2015 | access-date=25 November 2015 }}

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shivaji, Bharati}}
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:People from Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Mohiniyattam dancers]]
[[Category:Indian art historians]]
[[Category:Indian art educators]]
[[Category:Women writers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]
[[Category:Indian female classical dancers]]
[[Category:Women educators from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Indian dance teachers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dancers]]
[[Category:Women art historians]]
[[Category:Dancers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educators]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women educators]]
[[Category:Educators from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Women artists from Tamil Nadu]]

Bharati Shivaji - Revision history

AlfonzoGuess50 at 14:55, 21 March 2026