Dr.Vyjayantimala Bali’s name figures prominently in the ranks of those who have heralded the renaissance of Bharatanatyam over the last three decades.
Born in South India, she hails from a conservative family, but one of distinguished scholarship and one that has patronized the traditional and classical art of the Thanjavur style. Her’s is a background rich with our cultural heritage.
Her talents surfaced early in life when she danced before the Pope at the age of 5 and earned his benedictions. She performed before many eminent statesmen and dignitaries like President Radhakrishnan. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, H.R.H. the Duke of Ediburgh, President Eisinhower and many other International Organizations.
She was first Indian dancer to be invited to perform at the United Nations 20th anniversary celebrations of the Human Rights day at the General Assembly in 1969. The audience was spellbound and gave her a standing ovation.
She has performed at the International Opera House – Sydney, the Adelaide Festival, the Royal Opera Rallst Festival-Stockholm, the Holland Festival-Rotterdam the Autumn Festival-Paris and also in the United States, Canada, West Indies, USSR, Middle East and the Far East. Her outstanding performances reflect the glory of the great art and she has proved herself to be a cultural ambassador par excellence.
DANCE DRAMAS & RESEARCH WORKS
Growing passion for the rich, classical art form, found expression in NATYALAYA an academy of classical Bharatanatyam and music.
Vyjayantimala has to her credit a number of dance-dramas conceived, directed and presented by her. ‘ANDAL THIRUPPAVAI’ Gurudev Tagore’s ‘CHANDALIKA’, Kavi Kunjara Bharati’s ‘AZHAGAR KURAVANJI’ ‘SANT SAKHU’, ‘EKTA’, a multi-dimensional ballet which depicts the growth of the National Freedom Movement and ‘OM SANTHI SANTHI SANTHI’ to convey the message of universal peace.
SANGAMAM – another thematic presentation to convey the universality of religions.
SARVA SOWKHYA PRADAYEE based on Ahimsa brings forth in dance form the great message of Sri Bhagawan Mahaveera maintaining the Jaina heritage and culture and having relevance to today’s times.
She has brought out a series of L.P. records of dance-music along with hand written self instructor, to enable learners practice and perform this great art.
She has been applauded by critics and connoisseurs for her research work through which the old and forgotten forms like NAVA SANDHI KAUTHWAMS, MELAPRAPTI, THODAYA MANGALAM, SOOLADI, PRABANDHAMS AND THAYAMS have been revived.
Dr.Bali’s solo thematic presentation ‘Shri Krishna Jananam’ an adaptation of the ragam – tanam – pallavi format in concert – standard music has won much acclaim.
Her attempt to present Tirumangai Alvar’s ‘Siriya Tirumadal’ and “Aichiyar Kuravai Koothu” from Silappadikaram, Sita Vislesha Thrayam from Valmiki Ramayana, Nava Vidha Rama Bhakthi from Valmiki Ramayanam, Kaisika Puranam from Varaha Puranam in dance and abhinaya form, has won much appreciation.
Dr. Bali has also brought out DVD’S of her Bharatanatyam repertoire and thematic presentations, compiled from live recordings of her performances.
MOVIE STAR
As she shot into fame, the celluloid world drew her into its fold, her very first film in Tamil AVM’S “VAZHKAI” followed by BAHAAR in Hindi, took cine-goers by storm. Within a decade of her film carrier, she emerged as the reigning queen, a super star of the film world. She played the most covetous leading roles in a series of popular films, NAGIN, NEW DELHI, MADHUMATI, NAYA DAUR, GANGA JAMUNA, SANGAM, SADHANA, and AMRAPALI were some of the memorable hits. She became a household name in India and still continues to be one.
For her it was her husband Dr.Bali who in the best years of her career stood by her like a colossus and still continues to be the guiding spirit in all her endeavors.
SOCIAL WORKER & MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
To Vyjayantimala Bali, a happy combination of high idealism and practical wisdom, politics became a means of serving her countrymen and redeeming them from slipping into the abyss of destructive forces threatening to annihilate Indian culture and society.
Contesting from the South Madras constituency and serving two consecutive terms in the Lok Sabha in 1984 and 1989, she plunged into debate on burning issues and became a veritable crusader for eradicating social evils and championed the cause of the weak and struggling sections of society. The President of India nominated her to the Rajya Sabha in 1993 for her contribution to the field of fine arts.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION :
In recognition of her talents and her contribution to the tradition of classical dance, various honors have been conferred on her such as ‘NRITYA SIROMANI’, ‘NATYAKALA SIKAMANI’, ‘NRITYA NURUPAMA VISHARADE’.
1958-Recipient of the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for the film SADHNA.
1961- Recipient of the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for the film GUNGA JUMNA.
1964- Recipient of the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for the film SANGAM.
1968 – The title of PADMASHRI was conferred upon her by the President of India.
1979 – The Government of Tamilnadu honored her with the State Artist Award.
1982 – Recipient of the Sangeet Natak Academy award.
1995 – Conferment of the Degree of Letters (Honoris Causa), by the Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu.
1996 – Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Filmfare, Times of India Publication group.
1998 – Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by British Asian Film Festival, UK.
2002 – Recipient of the title NRITYA RATNAKARA by the Aradhana Committee, Cleveland State University.
2004 – Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Bollywood Group, USA.
2005 – Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Bollywood Movie Awards, Atlantic city, N.J.U.S.
2006 – Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Pune International Flim Festival (PIFF), Pune.
2006 – Recipient of the Living Legend in Entertainment Award by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
2007 – Recipient of Ambassador of Peace Award by Universal Peace Federation, New York, USA for Outstanding Contribution to Indian Classical Dance.
2008 - Recipient of “WOMAN of THE YEAR” representing India 2008 for outstanding contributions to Country as recognized by the American Biographical Institute.
2010 -- Recepient of E. Krishna Iyer Medal (Award ) 2010 by Sruti Foundation for contribution to Indian Classical Art Form of Bharatnatyam.
2011 -- Recepient of Hanumant Award given by Shri Morari Bapu of Chitrakoot Dham Trust for contribution to Bharatanatyam at Mahua, Gujarat.
2011 – Recepient of Sri Shanmukhananda National Eminence Award.
2012 – Recepient of Sangeet Natak Acadaemy – Tagore Ratna Samman (Fellow) Award for contribution to Indian Classical Dance – Bharatanatyam
2013 - Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Stardust, Magna Publication group.
2013 -- Recipient of the Nataraja Samman by Sadguru Sri Thyagabrahma Aradhana Kainkarya Trust, Bangalore.
2014 – Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award – Konark Dance and Music Festival, Konark, Odisha.
2014 – Recipient of the Natya Kalanidhi by ABHAI for her lifetime service, achievements and contribution to the field of Bharatanatyam by preserving and promoting the art in India and abroad.
2016—Recipient of the Dr.M.S.Subbulakshmi Centenary Award for her contribution in the fieldof Classical Arts ( Bharatanatyam ) by Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2018—Recepient of Stardust Achievers Legend Award-Magna Publications Ltd--Grosvenor House, London, UK
2019—Recepient of BalaSaraswati Award from Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Government of Tamil Nadu for Classical Art of Bharatanatyam.
2019 –Recepient of the C.P.Ramaswami Aiyer Foundation “SARASWATHI PURASKARAM”.