Cheruthuruthi (Thrissur): In a landmark development in the cultural history of Kerala Kalamandalam, a male teacher has been appointed for the first time in Bharatanatyam department in Kalamandalam. RLV Ramakrishnan, a renowned dancer, has joined Kalamandalam as Assistant Professor in Bharatanatyam on Thursday. “I feel so happy and proud to be a part of a historical moment”, Ramakrishnan said.

RLV Ramakrishnan, who joined in RLV College, Tripunithura in 1996, had learnt  Mohiniyattam dance and completed a four-year diploma and post-diploma in the same art form. He passed his MA in Mohiniyattam with first rank from MG University. Ramakrishnan was the top scorer in Performing Arts for his M.Phil from Kerala Kalamandalam, where he also completed his Ph.D. He had qualified for the NET exam as well.

Ramakrishnan was selected as an A-graded artist by Doordarshan and has served for over 15 years as a guest lecturer in the Mohiniyattam department at both Kalady Sanskrit University and RLV College. He is also the brother of the late actor Kalabhavan Mani.