Image source: The Hindu

Orinam heartily congratulates Ms. Narthaki Nataraj, the 2011 recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi award for Bharatanatyam, the classical dance form associated with Tamil Nadu. Narthaki, a transgender woman, has previously been an Akademi Fellow, and is also a recipient of the 2007 Kala Seva Bharathi award of Bharath Kalachar, 2007 Kalaimamani award of Government of Tamil Nadu, and 2009 Nritya Choodamani award for dance given by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai.

More on Narthaki (most recent first):

• ‘Dance of Change’, by Chithra Swaminathan, The Hindu, MetroPlus, Dec 22, 2011
• ‘Sporting femininity on her sleeve’, by Olympia Shilpa Gerald, The Hindu Tiruchi, Apr 11, 2011
• ‘On the mesmerising effect of Krishna’, review  by G. Swaminathan, The Hindu Arts section, Dec 30, 2011
• ‘Dancing to her own tune’, by Ponni Arasu, Boloji, Sept 3, 2006
• ‘Why should gender or sexuality define our identity?’, by  Lalitha Sridhar, InfoChange ChangeMaker series, Mar 2004
• Interview by LV on dance portal Narthaki.com, Feb 2, 2002