Ep. 17 – Dance, Devotion & Discipline: Guru Bhanumati on the Guru–Shishya Bond

About our Guest

Late Guru Bhanumati is one of the most respected names in Bharatnatyam(one form of Classical Indian Dance). She studied under such legends like K N Dandayutapani Pillai, Dr K Venkatalakshamma and Kalanidhi Narayanan. She began performing at the age of 10. With over 2000 solo performances in India and abroad, she had won many accolades, including the Shantala Natya Sri award, Karnataka Kalashree award and the Rajyotsava award. As founding director of Nrityakalamandiram, her school in Jayanagar, she had groomed hundreds of students over four decades.

In this episode, Kedar Nimkar speaks with Guru B. Bhanumati, a respected Bharatanatyam guru and founder of Nrityakalamandiram. Dancers, students, and anyone curious about the role of a guru will find this meaningful. She shares insights on the guru–shishya bond, how to find the right teacher, and why complete surrender and sincerity matter in learning. A deep, honest reflection on art, teaching, and lifelong learning.

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Questions asked

• Who is a guru?

• What is the role of a guru in a student's life?

• How can one find the right guru in today’s times?

• Can a guru’s influence happen even without a formal, long-term student–teacher relationship?

• Is it possible to absorb a guru’s style just by observation, without direct teaching?

• Is it wrong to share knowledge with someone who might misuse it?

• Do gurus test students before accepting them?

• Can every student become an expert in all areas of dance, or do they have specific strengths?

• Is surrendering to a guru important? Do students still do that today?

• Is it okay for a student to become better than the guru?

• How does a guru feel when a student succeeds or excels?

• What is your advice for today’s generation of learners and parents?

• How can one develop the eye or ear to recognize good art and find the right guru?

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Reference links

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhanumati_Rao

• https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/b-bhanumathi-an-endearing-guru/article34659324.ece

• https://hobbycue.com/people/b-bhanumathi

• https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/dance-guru-b-bhanumati-no-more-989545.html

• https://narthaki.com/info/profiles/profl262.html

• https://drishtiartcentre.com/drishti-art-centre/magazine/issue-8/tete-a-tete-guru-bhanumathi/

• https://tharangutsav.in/tharang-utsav-archive/tharangutsav2017/guru-b-bhanumathi-smt-sheela-chandrashekhar/

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