K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai Biography 
K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai was an Indian classical dancer and choreographer, and an exponent of south Indian traditional dance form, Bharathnatyam. For his contributions towards the field of art and dance, he has been honoured with numerous awards including Padma Shri by government of India, and Kalaimamani by government of Tamil Nadu. He was also a recipient of honorary titles such as Natyakalachakravarthy, Natyakalanidhi etc. He lived during the period, 1921-1974. He has worked as a choreographer for many south Indian and Hindi movies, including Bollywood film, Man-Mauji which marked the acting debut of actor turned politician, Jayalalithaa.
K. Natesa Dandayudhapani Pillai was born on 14 July 1921 in Karaikal, present day Puducherry. His father A. K. Natesa Pillai was a known musician, and Dandayudhapani Pillai started training in music under his father during his early days. But later turned to Bharatanatyam and learned under his grandfather, who was a Bharatanatyam teacher. Professionally he started training students at Kalakshetra of Rukmini Devi Arundale, where he groomed as a fine dancer, choreographer and composer. He was associated with the academy for many years.
Adyar K. Lakshman and Geeta Chandran were among his major students. He also trained film stars like Vyjayantimala Bali, J. Jayalalithaa and Srividya. He also taught Yamini Krishnamurti and Padma Subrahmanyam for brief periods, and his first disciple was Jayalakshmi Alva of Mangalore. He also trained his adopted daughter Uma Anand and many others. He was fondly addressed as Vaadyaar or KND in the Bharatanatyam circle.
He worked as a successful choreographer in many Indian movies, belonging to Hindi and south Indian languages. Man-Mauji, Chhaya, Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke, Sri Kalahastiswara Mahatyam and Bhai-Bhai are among his noted works in Bollywood since late 1950s. In 1967 he founded a dance academy in Chennai, Sri Rama Nataka Niketan. He was honoured with Padma Shri in 1971 and he passed away three years later. He has also authored a few books like Aadal Isai Amudam. He was a celebrated master who spent his entire life enriching the Bharatanatyam repertoire with several innumerable compositions and choreographies.
Published: October 01, 2018
Updated: October 01, 2018
