PALAKKAD:Former principal of the Kerala Kalamandalam and noted mohiniyattom danseuse Kalamandalam Sathyabhama teacher, 77, died here on Sunday, at a private hospital in Ottappalam.
An alumni of the Kerala Kalamandalam, Sathyabhama teacher began teaching at the institute in 1957 and retired as principal in 1993.
Born on November 4, 1937, to Krishnan Nair from Thalassery and Ammini Amma of Vennat, Satyabhama teacher joined the Kerala Kalamandalam in 1951, where she trained in bharatanatyam under Krishnankutty Warrier and Achutha Warrier of Perumangottu Warriath and in mohiniyattom under Chinammu Amma of Thottassery, Pazhayannur.
She also received tutelage in the female roles of Kathakali under Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair.
Sathyabhama teacher is often credited for making the mohiniyattom dance form simpler by liberating it from the complexities of the kathakali “mudras”.
Among the several dance dramas in mohiniyattom directed by her are “Kannaki” and “Chandalabikshuki”.