Renowned dancer Sreedevi Rajan, 84, dies in Kochi

Sreedevi Rajan, 84, a celebrated dancer and 2024 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner, died in Kochi on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. She was the daughter of famed Kathakali artists Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair and Kalamandalam Kalyanikuttyamma. Rajan served as the director of the dance school Nrithakshethra on Warriam Road in the city. The family announced that her cremation will take place at the Ravipuram crematorium at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

Context

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is India’s highest recognition for performing artists. Rajan’s career spanned several decades, during which she helped preserve and teach classical dance forms in Kerala.