Vijaya Lakshmi

Vijayalakshmi, is an internationally acclaimed Indian classical dancer of Mohiniyattam, the graceful dance form of South India and is also a choreographer, scholar, speaker, writer, feminist, actress, model and singer.

She has been performing for over four decades, at some of the most prestigious venues in India and around the globe including the Bolshoi Theatre, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Lincoln Centre. Vijayalakshmi takes Mohiniyattam to higher levels by constantly exploring uncharted territory and expanding traditional boundaries. She celebrates both Indian and worldwide culture through unique innovative choreography, as evidenced in her work. She co-authored a book on Mohiniyattam along with her legendary mother-guru, Padmashri Bharati Shivaji, released by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan. She is a recipient of several prestigious awards, including from the Sangeet Natak Academy, Government of India and Regent Scholar from UCLA, given to distinguished professionals around the globe, who have made stellar contributions in their field, including Nobel Laureates. She is the Founder-director of The Mohiniyattam Institute in LA and the artistic director of the Centre for Mohiniyattam, New Delhi.