Dr. R. L. V. Ramakrishnan is an Indian classical dancer and film actor from Kerala. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in 2019 and currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Bharatanatyam at Kerala Kalamandalam. In 2022, he was honored with the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for his contributions to Mohiniyattam.
Early life Ramakrishnan was born in Chalakudy. His brother is Kalabhavan Mani. He was a Kalaprathibha from the MG University in 2001.
Ramakrishnan is a male Mohiniyattam dancer from Kerala, known for his contributions to the art form traditionally performed by women. Hailing from a dedicated artistic family, Ramakrishnan began his classical dance journey at the age of 10 under the tutelage of Guru RLV Anand Master. He has an academic background in Mohiniyattam, having completed both a Diploma and Post-Diploma with First Class honors from RLV College, Tripunithura. He later earned a Masters degree in Mohiniyattam, securing the First Rank from Mahatma Gandhi University, and pursued an M.Phil. from Kerala Kalamandalam, Deemed University.
Career R. L. V. Ramakrishnan obtained a Ph.D. in Mohiniyattam from Kerala Kalamandalam under the guidance of Dr. N. K. Geetha. His doctoral research, titled "Masculine Heritage in Dance: An Enquiry Based on Mohiniyattam," explores the potential of male dancers in this traditionally female-dominated dance form. He is a qualified UGC-NET scholar in Performing Arts and holds the "A Top" grade from Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi.
Ramakrishnan has performed at many national and international festivals in Kerala and abroad including the Nishagandhi Dance Festival, Soorya Festival, Kerala Cultural Tourism Festival, Mrinalini Sarabhai Dharpana dance festivel Gujarat, Devadasi festival Odisha, AIDA Festival Chhattisgarh and Naadam Festival, among others. In addition to his performances, he has presented papers at UGC-approved national and international seminars on Mohiniyattam.
Ramakrishnan has served as a Guest Lecturer in Mohiniyattam at RLV College and Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS), Kalady. His contributions to Mohiniyattam have earned him several accolades, including the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Puraskaram, the Kerala Kshetra Kala Puraskaram, Devadasi Puraskar from Odisha and the CCRT Senior Fellowship (National) in Mohiniyattam.
Ramakrishnan also earned an M.A. in Bharatanatyam with a Second Rank from Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit.
In January 2024, he was appointed as an Assistant Professor of Bharatanatyam at the Kerala Kalamandalam. Ramakrishnan is the first male Bharatanatyam teacher in the history of the Kerala Kalamandalam.
Filmography and discography +YearMovieNotesReferences2002Bamboo BoysDebut movie2004Masanagudi Mannadiyar Speaking2004Quotation2005Maniyarakallan2010Canvas2018Theeta RappaiLead Actor2020Zebra Varakal20221921: Puzha Muthal Puzha Vare +YearSongMovie / AlbumReference2014KozhiyaruthuKavile Manippattu2017Ponmani KoodaramPonmani Koodaram2018Chalakudi Chandaku PokumboChalakkudikkaran Changathi2018Kummatti KoottavumTheetta Rappayi2019Kokkarakko Kozhi KoovunneChalakkudikkaran Changathi2021ParayappattuParayappattu2024Ayyante PonnambalamAyyante Ponnambalam2024Kuppi Vala KayyaleChaar Chor +YearAlbumReference2017Ponmani Koodaram2019Vel Vel2019Sarayoo2024Ayyante Ponnambalam
Awards and papers +YearType Title/DescriptionEvent Ref2013AwardKalabharathi Yuva Nrutha Pratibha Award The National Young Dance Fest 20132017AwardNaatya Kala Poorna Award in the field of MohiniyattamNaatya Kousthubh Nrithyotsav 20172017AwardNritya Kala Vidwaan Award in the field of MohiniyattamInternational Dancer's Alley Fests 20172019AwardNaadam Natyaprabha AwardNaadam Nrithyothsav International Classical Dance Festival 20192019PaperMusic and Dance in Vedas, Upanishads, Epics, and Sanga Literature - An Exploration – Two-day conference organized by Annamalai University.International Conference (August 2019)2019ChairedExploration of Theory and Praxis with focus on Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam performances.Three-day National Seminar in Sree Sankara College, Kalady. (February 2019)2019PaperThandava Lasya Sankalpangal Bharatheeya Sashthreeya Nrutharoopangail Natyasastra Grandhangale Adisthaanamakkiyulla Padanam — Study based on Natyasastra concepts.Three-day National Seminar in Sree Sankara College, Kalady. (February 2019)2019Doctoral Degree Degree of Doctor of Philosophy "MASCULINE WAYS IN DANCE - AN ENQUIRY BASED ON Mohiniyattam"Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University2020PaperInfluence of Natya Shastra on Kathakali and Mohiniyattam.Two-day International Seminar (January 2020)2020PaperNatya Shastra Sankethangal in MohiniyattamThree-day National Seminar on Sanskrit Dramas and Fine Arts 20202020PaperNatya Sankalpa in Mohiniyattam International Seminar in Sree Sankara College, Kalady. (February 2020)2020PaperFemininity and Manhood in Indian Classical Dance.Three-day Seminar (February 2020)2020ChairProblematizing Gender in Indian Classical Dance.Three-day National Seminar (February 2020)2021AwardKerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award (Mohiniyattam)Akademi Award 20212022AwardKerala State Kshethrakala Fellowship from Kshethrakala AcademyKshethrakala Academy Awards 20222023PaperMale Lineage in Indian Classical Dances.Three-day National Seminar (February 2023)2023AwardPerformance in World of Dance - 20236th Edition of Celebrating World of Dance - 2023 by Natarani and JG University.2023AwardParticipation Certificate at 11th Peringottukara Devasthanam Dakshinamoorthi Sangeetha Nritholsavam11th Peringottukara Devasthanam Dakshinamoorthi Sangeetha Nritholsavam2023PaperCritical study related to Sukumara Concepts in Mohiniyattam.International Seminar (March 2023)
Controversies In October 2020, Ramakrishnan was denied a chance to perform Mohiniyattam in the online dance festival program of Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy which led to controversy. He allegedly attempted suicide after experiencing caste discrimination.
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