Origins & Early Life

Sitara Devi (born Dhanlakshmi; 8 November 1920 – 25 November 2014) was an Indian dancer of the classical Kathak style of dancing, a singer, and an actress. She was the recipient of several awards and accolades, and performed at several prestigious venues in India and abroad; including the Royal Albert Hall, London (1967) and at the Carnegie Hall, New York (1976). At a young age Devi met Rabindranath Tagore. He out of affection described her as Nritya Samragni (नृत्य सम्राज्ञी ), meaning the empress of dance, after watching her performance when she was just sixteen years old.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Some people consider her as the Kathak queen. Sitara Devi was born in Kolkata (then Calcutta) on 8 November 1920, that coincided in that year with the festival of Dhanteras, the eve of the Indian festival of Deepavali. She was named Dhanlakshmi, in honour of the goddess of good fortune who is worshiped on that day. Devi's paternal family was of Brahmin heritage and from the city of Varanasi, but had settled in Kolkata for many years. Her father, Sukhdev Maharaj, was a Brahmin gentleman and a Vaishanavite scholar of Sanskrit, and earned his livelihood by teaching and performing the...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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