Kalamandalam V. Satyabhama (4 November 1937 – 13 September 2015) was an Indian classical dancer, teacher and choreographer, known for her performances and scholarship in mohiniyattam. She is regarded as a matriarch of the classical dance form. She was also well versed in other classical dances of Kerala. She was awarded the Padma Shri, in 2014, for her contributions to the art and culture by the Government of India. Kalamandalam Satybhama was the first woman Vice Principal of Kerala Kalamandalam and, later, became its principal till she retired in 1992. She sat on the selection committee to decide annual Kalamandalam fellowships She was also functioning as the Dean of Kerala Kalamandalam. Satyabhama is credited with purifying the dance form by weeding out external influences. She modified the performance techniques so that the emotive aspect of the performance strictly sticks to Lasyam. She is also said to have transfigure the mohiniyattam curriculum at Kerala Kalamandalam which is said to have resulted in the evolution of Kalamandalam style mohiniyattam. She also tried to add more spice into the presentation of the dance form by evoking drama through emphasize body kinetics through mudras, poses and steps, which at times, also analysis the another major contribution of Satyabhama is the changes she brought to the mohiniyattam costumes. The designs she has created follows Kerala traditions in color, pattern and accessories and have become the signature of Kalamandalam style. She also changed the way the dancer styles the hair, which was vaguely adapted from Raja Ravi Varmas paintings. Kerala center for learning Indian classical forms deemed to be a University of Art and Culture by the Government of India. With the influence of Mohiniyattam and Kathakali, students who learnt Bharatanatyam here developed a unique style which now recognized as Kalamandalam Style of Bharatanatyam.
