Bharatanatyam icon Kumari Kamala passes away at 91

Entertainment Nov 25, 2025

Kumari Kamala, a trailblazer of Bharatanatyam and the Vazhuvur dance style, has died at 91 in California.
Starting her stage journey at just five, she grew up to become one of the most recognizable faces in Indian classical dance, inspiring generations with her art.

Why was she such a big deal?

Kamala didn't just perform—she changed how people saw Bharatanatyam.
She acted in scores of films, including Tamil and Hindi, from the late '30s to the '70s and brought graceful moves to patriotic songs onscreen.
Later, she moved to New York and opened her own dance school so the tradition could reach new audiences.
Her legacy lives on through honors like the Padma Bhushan and a National Heritage Fellowship.