R. L. V. Ramakrishnan

R. L. V. Ramakrishnan
Ramakrishnan during a Mohiniyattam performance
Born	Ramakrishnan Kerala, India
Occupations	Classical dancer teacher film actor
Relatives	Kalabhavan Mani (brother)[1]
Awards	Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award

R.L.V. Ramakrishnan is an Indian classical dancer and film actor from Kerala.[2][3] In 2022, Ramakrishnan won the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award in Mohiniyattam.

Biography

Ramakrishnan born in Chalakudy is the brother of Kalabhavan Mani.[4] He was a Kalaprathibha from the MG University in 2001.[5]

Ramakrishnan, who studied Mohiniyattam at R.L.V. College, Trippunithura since 1996, has obtained a four-year diploma and a post-diploma from there.[6] After that he passed his master's in Mohiniyattam from Mahatma Gandhi University with first rank.[6] Ramakrishnan, who was the top scorer in MPhil in Performing Arts from Kerala Kalamandalam, completed his PhD from Kalamandalam itself.[6] His doctoral thesis was Aattathinte Aanvazhikal (meaning: The path of men in dance).[7] He has qualified NET also.[6]

Career

Ramakrishnan is an A-grade artist in Doordarshan.[6] He is performing mohiniyattam since 1998.[8] He also served as a guest lecturer in the Mohiniyattam department at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit and RLV College for over 15 years.[6]

In January 2024, he was appointed as an Assistant Professor of Bharatanatyam at the Kerala Kalamandalam.[6] Ramakrishnan is the first male Bharatanatyam teacher in the history of the Kalamandalam.[9]

Acting career

Ramakrishnan also acted in five films, including Bamboo Boys (2002), Canvas (2010), Theeta Rappai (2018) and 1921: Puzha Muthal Puzha Vare (2022). He also acted in several devotional Hindu album songs.

Awards and honors

In 2022, Ramakrishnan won the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award in Mohiniyattam.[10]

Discrimination against him

In October 2020, Ramakrishnan was denied a chance to perform Mohiniyattam in the online dance festival program of Kerala Sangeet Natak Academy which led to controversy.[11] He reportedly attempted suicide for alleged caste discrimination against him.[12]

References

1. "R L V Ramakrishnan: 'Drishyam Model' murder in Mumbai reminds me of Mani Chettan's mysterious death". The Times of India. 15 August 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
2. "RLV Ramakrishnan: I eat, sleep and breathe Mohiniyattam". The Times of India. Times News Network. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
3. Web Desk (12 October 2020). "'Caste Discrimination' by Kerala's top Arts Academy,'Suicide was my only choice', Dr R L V Ramakrishnan opens his mind". english.madhyamam.com. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
4. "മണി അന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു; 'നമ്മള് ഈ ഡാൻസൊന്നും പഠിച്ചിട്ടില്ല, പക്ഷേ അനിയനെ കാര്യമായിട്ട് പഠിപ്പിക്കണം'". Mathrubhumi. 23 March 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
5. Anand, Shilpa Nair (3 March 2020). "RLV Ramakrishnan's love for Mohiniyattam". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
6. "അസി. പ്രൊഫസറായി ആർ.എൽ.വി. രാമകൃഷ്ണൻ; കലാമണ്ഡലത്തിലെ ആദ്യത്തെ മലയാളി ഭരതനാട്യം അധ്യാപകൻ". Mathrubhumi. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
7. "Kalamandalam makes history, appoints RLV Ramakrishnan Assistant Professor in Bharatanatyam". The Hindu. 16 January 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
8. "RLV Ramakrishnan: I eat, sleep and breathe Mohiniyattam". The Times of India. 18 February 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
9. "RLV Ramakrishnan becomes first male dance teacher at Kerala Kalamandalam". www.onmanorama.com. Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
10. "Kerala: RLV Ramakrishnan wins Akademi award". The Times of India. 12 March 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
11. "Kalabhavan Mani's brother Ramakrishnan hospitalised after alleged suicide attempt". The News Minute. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
12. "Dancer RLV Ramakrishnan, who attempted suicide for alleged caste discrimination, recovering". OnManorama. Retrieved 6 April 2023.