11/07/2026
CPPA is honoured to welcome Vijaya Lakshmi as a Peace Fellow.
An internationally acclaimed Mohiniyattam exponent, choreographer, educator, author, and cultural ambassador, Vijaya Lakshmi has dedicated over four decades to preserving and reimagining one of India’s foremost classical dance traditions. As the Artistic Director of the Centre for Mohiniyattam in New Delhi and Founder-Director of The Mohiniyattam Institute in Los Angeles, she has expanded the global reach of Mohiniyattam through performances, research, education, and international collaborations.
Her groundbreaking productions—including Swan Lake, Unniarcha, Paryapti, and Rain—bridge cultures while remaining rooted in the rich aesthetics of Indian classical dance. Having performed at leading venues across more than 30 countries, including the Bolshoi Theatre, the Edinburgh International Festival, and Lincoln Center, she has consistently demonstrated how the performing arts can transcend borders and foster dialogue.
A recipient of numerous national and international honours, including the Kerala Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the prestigious UCLA Regents’ Lecturer Award in 2020, Vijaya Lakshmi’s work champions grace, compassion, and the sacred feminine as powerful forces for peace. Through her artistic vision, scholarship, and mentorship, she continues to inspire audiences worldwide to embrace culture as a pathway to empathy, inclusion, and human connection.
