Kapila Vatsyayan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kapila Vatsyayan
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| Born | 25 December 1928 Delhi
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| Died | 16 September 2020 (aged 91) |
| Alma mater | Delhi University University of Michigan Banaras Hindu University |
| Occupation | scholar, art historian |
| Spouse(s) | Sachchidananda Vatsyayan 'Agyeya' |
Kapila Vatsyayan (born December 25, 1928 – died September 16, 2020) was a very important expert in Indian classical dance, art, and architecture. She studied the history of art deeply.
She also worked for the Indian government. She was a member of parliament, which means she helped make laws for the country. She also helped start and lead the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, a big organization for arts in India.
Kapila Vatsyayan received many top awards for her work. In 1970, she got the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship. This is the highest award from India's national academy for music, dance, and drama. Later, in 1995, she received the Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowship, the top award for fine arts. In 2011, the Indian government gave her the Padma Vibhushan, which is the second highest award a civilian can get in India.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Kapila Vatsyayan was born in Delhi. Her parents were Ram Lal and Satyawati Malik.
She loved learning and studied a lot. She earned a master's degree in English literature from Delhi University. After that, she went to the University of Michigan in the United States to study education. She also earned a PhD from Banaras Hindu University in India.
Her older brother, Keshav Malik, was a poet and art critic. Kapila Vatsyayan was married to a famous Hindi writer named S.H. Vatsyayan 'Ajneya'.
A Life in the Arts
Kapila Vatsyayan wrote many important books about Indian art. Some of her famous books include The Square and the Circle of Indian Arts and Bharata: The Natya Sastra. These books helped people understand Indian art forms better.
In 1987, she helped create the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in Delhi. This is a very important place for arts in India. She worked there as a leader for many years. She also worked for the government in the Ministry of Education. There, she helped set up many national colleges and universities.
Kapila Vatsyayan worked with many great artists. She helped protect old Indian art forms, like the classical dance-drama called Koodiyattam. She worked with famous artists like Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar to make sure these art forms would continue to be known and practiced.
Awards and Recognition
Kapila Vatsyayan received many honors throughout her life.
- In 1970, she got the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship.
- She also received a fellowship from the John D. Rockefeller 3rd Fund to study art in the United States and Indonesia.
- In 1975, she was awarded the special Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship.
- The Asian Cultural Council honored her in 1992 for her great work in dance and art history.
- In 1998, she received an award for her "Outstanding Contribution to Dance Research."
- She was given the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award in 2000.
- In 2011, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Vibhushan, one of the country's highest civilian awards.
Later Years and Passing
Kapila Vatsyayan was also a member of the Rajya Sabha, which is the Upper House of the Parliament of India. She was nominated to this position in 2006 and again in 2007.
Kapila Vatsyayan passed away on September 16, 2020, at her home in New Delhi. She was 92 years old. Her work helped many people understand and appreciate Indian art and culture.
Images for kids
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Kapila Vatsayan speaking at IGNCA
