Lakshmi Vishwanathan is an author and renowned Bharatanatyam dancer, prime disciple of Guru Kanjeevaram Elappa Pillai, steeped in the culture of TANJAVUR. She has performed in every major festival in India.

She has widened her horizon in the field of art by not only performing in India and more than ten countries abroad in prestigious forums, but also uses her erudite scholarship to reach many people with her engaging articles in arts journals, newspapers and dance portals. Her insightful authorship of acclaimed books such as Bharatanatyam the Tamil Heritage; Women of Pride the Devadasi Heritage; Kapaliswara Temple, have earned her a special place in the world of dance. Her film ‘The Poetry of Dance’ was commissioned by the Festival of India. She is currently editor of the prestigious Kalakshetra Journal. As mentor and teacher she has contributed to the training of students. Her choreographic works like ‘Banyan Tree’, and other productions have been landmark artistic events based on new and original themes. Recently she premiered MY TYAGARAJA – the life of Bangalore Nagratanammal, a famous Devadasi artist, a dance theatre production. A respected artist of the renaissance of dance in India, she brings to her audience, a special amalgam of intellect, innovation and attractive poise.

Many awards and titles have been conferred on Lakshmi, including the National Sangeet Natak Akademi award and the prestigious Nritya Kalanidhi award from the Music Academy Madras recently with the great choreographer Mark Morris of New York as the chief guest. She received also the prestigious Kalidas Samman award recently at the inauguration of the Khajuraho Dance Festival (2018) where she performed to an appreciative audience.

Noted for her Abhinaya, Lakshmi makes her dance visual poetry with poignancy. She is also a trained vocalist. She has served on several arts committees and she has served as Vice President of Music Academy (Chennai).