E. Krishna Iyer

E. Krishna Iyer (9 August 1897 – January 1968) was an Indian lawyer, freedom-fighter, classical artist and activist. He was the follower of traditional Isaivellalar practitioners of Sadir, also known as Bharatanatyam.

Early life

Krishna Iyer was born on 9 August 1897 in a Tamil Brahmin family of Kallidaikurichi, Madras Presidency. He had his schooling at Ambasamudram High School and graduated from Madras Christian College. On graduating, he studied law at Madras Law College

While strongly condemning the devadasi system, Krishna Iyer tried to sever the dance's association with the practice by encouraging Brahmin girls to learn and practice the art and by eradicating expressions and movements that conveyed sexually-explicit meanings in cooperation with Rukmini Devi Arundale.

Awards 1966 – Padma Shri from the Government of India Sangeetha Kalasikhamani, 1957 by The Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai

Death

Krishna Iyer died in 1968 at the age of 71.