Narthaki Nataraj

Narthaki Nataraj is an Indian Bharatanatyam dancer. In 2019, she was awarded the Padma Shri, making her the first transgender woman to be awarded India's fourth-highest civilian award.

Early life Narthaki Nataraj was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. In an interview, she said she became aware of her feminine side at the age of 10 and found dance to be the only way of expressing herself. Owing to societal pressures and stigma, she ran away from her home at the age of 12.

She started her training in dance under Namanur Jeyaraman of the Tanjavur bani. She later became a disciple of K. P. Kittappa Pillai in 1984, who was a direct descendant of the Thanjavur Quartet. In 2019, she was awarded the Padma Shri, making her the first transgender woman to be awarded India's fourth-highest civilian award.

Awards Kalaimamani Award of Tamil Nadu Government in 2007 Nritya Choodamani Award from Krishna Gana Sabha in 2009 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2011 Honorary Doctorate from Periyar Maniammai University 2016 ICCR Empanelled Dance Artist in Outstanding Category 2017 Padma Shri from the Government of India in 2019