Sunanda Nair

1. Sunanda Nair Sunanda Nair is one of the prominent Indian classical dancers who essayed a key role in popularising Mohiniyattam or Mohini Attam. Mohiniyattam is a classical dance form of Kerala which is believed to have originated in the 16th century CE. Nair is one of the few performers of this style of dance form. She is regarded as the "prima ballerina among Mohini attam dancers". She is the first one to receive a Master's degree in Mohini Attam from Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalay affiliated to the University of Mumbai. Nair has won many awards for her immense contribution in the field of classing dancing. Early life of Sunanda Nair Nair took her initial training in Bharatanatyam at age six. She studied in Kathakali under Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Warrier.Nair is a disciple of noted Mohiniattam exponent Padmabhushan Dr.(Smt) Kanak Rele, credited for the revival and popularization of this classical Kerala dance style. Nair was the first student to earn a master's degree in Mohiniattam. She was a student of Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalay at the University of Mumbai where she completed her Master's. She completed a seven-year course in five years. The institution is the closest to the guru Kula Sampradaya. Awards of Sunanda Nair 'Global Mannam award', Nair Service Society of North America, New York 2020 'Nrithya Seva Mani award', Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival 2020 'Global Excellence Award for Performing Arts', 6th International Media Conference 2019 'Citation' from Bangalore Club for Kathakali & the Arts 2018 'Muthirai Pathitha Vithagar', Natyanjali Festival, Natyanjali Trust 2018