Nartaki Natraj Biography 
Dr. Nartaki Natraj is a classical dancer and artist who performs Bharatnatyam. In 2019, she became the first transgender person to received Padma Shri, the civilian awards from government of India. She was one among the 94 personalities, who have been awarded with Padma Shri, and the list also includes dancer and choreographer Prabhu Deva, and many more artists related to dance forms. Nartaki Natraj is also known as a transgender activist. She is the founder of the organization, Velliambalam Trust, which supports women community.
Dr. Nartaki Natraj hails from Tamil Nadu. As a child she couldn’t understand how she was different from others. Later she found interest in classical dance forms which helped her to express her identity as a woman. She believes that it was dance that chose her and gave her a means to express femininity. For her, Shiva’s male-female combination form of Ardhanareeshwara “personifies” feminism. Later she pursued rigorous dance training, and started a professional career in classical dance forms, especially Bharatnatyam. Shakti Bhaskar is her lifelong friend and dance partner.
She learnt Bharatnatyam from renowned artist Dr K P Kitappa Pillai, descendent of the Tanjore Quartet. Natraj’s strict adherence to the Tanjore tradition has earned her appreciation from audience a lot. She has literally redefined the transgender community in Tamil Nadu through her efforts as an activist as well as dancer. She respects herself and her inner thoughts and calls herself as Thirunangai which literally means God-Woman. In 2007, she had this term officially recognised by the government of Tamil Nadu.
She established Velliambalam Trust, an organisation that supports and creates opportunities for women of her community. In 2019, government of India honoured her with Padma Shri, the first transgender to receive this honour.
Published: February 03, 2019
Updated: February 03, 2019
