Bhanumati Rao

Bhanumati Rao (4 December 1923 – 12 February 2022) (sometimes spelled as Bhanumathi) was an Indian classical dancer, teacher, and stage actress. Specializing in two forms of Indian classical dance, Kathakali and Bharatanatyam, she was also an actress on stage in Malayalam-language theater. She later taught classical dance and music, and in 2019, was the subject of a documentary film about her life, made by director R.V. Ramani.

Career Rao studied dance as a child, but left India for the United Kingdom at the age of 24 to study library science. While in the United Kingdom, she began her career as a professional dancer, becoming a member of a dance group headed by Indian classical dancer Ram Gopal. She was instrumental in introducing Indian classical dance to international audiences, and often innovated with classical techniques, incorporating aspects of other Indian classical and folk dances into her performances. She was known in particular for her performance in vidhi vesham, or comic roles. Following this, she moved to Bengaluru, where she studied classical Indian Carnatic music.

Rao was active in social efforts to establish women's rights, and worked with the All India Women's Conference. She died on 12 February 2022 at the age of 98.