Born on 16^th December 1933, Shri Adyar K. Lakshman hails from Kuppam in Chittur District of Andhra Pradesh. His father, Krishnaraja Rao, was posted there as a school teacher. Shri. Lakshman and his brother Shri. Rama Rao were discovered at a young age by Shri. P.D. Doraiswamy Iyer, a representative of Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, the founder of the world acclaimed fine arts college Kalakshetra. The young boys showed unusual musical and rhythmic talent, and were offered a thorough education in the Fine Arts. Shri. Lakshman’s father was only too happy to accept the offer made by Kalakshetra.

Shri. Adyar Lakshman began his education at Kalakshetra in 1944 at the young age of 11 years. He underwent rigorous training in vocal music, Bharatha Natyam, Mridangam and Nattuvangam under the able tutelage of eminent teachers. He had the good fortune to receive his early training and exposure to the Classical arts from Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale herself. He has also been closely associated with other great masters in the field.

• Bharatha Natyam :
  • Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale
  • Smt. Karaikal Saradamba Ammal
  • Smt. S. Sarada
  • Smt. Mylapore Gowri Ammal

• Vocal Music :
  • Sri. Tiger Varadhachari
  • Sri. Veena Krishnamachari
  • Sri. Budalur Krishnamoorthy Sastrigal
  • Sri. T.K. Ramaswamy Iyengar
  • Sri. Mysore Vasudevacharya
  • Sri. Mudikonda C. Venkatarama Iyer
  • Sri. Kamalarani
  • Sri. Visveswaraya (at Tiptur, Prior to Kalakshetra)

• Mridangam :
  • Sri. Tanjore Rajagopala Iyer
  • Sri. V. Vittal Iyer
  • Sri. Karaikudi Muthu Iyer

• Nattuvangam :
  • Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale
  • Smt. S. Sarada
  • Sri. K. Dandayuthapani Pillai

   

Apart from mastering the art of Bharatha Natyam. Shri. Adyar Lakshman also trained in Kathakali under such doyens as Shri. Ambu Panicker and Shri. Chandu Panicker. His most notable appearance in Kathakali was as Sudhama in Kuchela Vrittan.

His many years of study and interaction with Kalakshetra’s artists provided very rich and meaningful experience to Shri.Lakshman. His accomplishments at college can be summarized as such :

• Graduate of Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts in the subjects of Bharatha Natyam, Nattuvangam and Carnatic music in 1948.
• Awarded the Government of India Cultural Scholarship from 1954-1956.
• Post Graduate of Kalakshetra in Bharatha Natyam in 1956.
• Post Graduate of Kalakshetra in Nattuvangam and Percussion (Mridangam) in 1966.

Smt. Rukmini Devi saw Lakshman’s talents develop even during the initial years of his education. Upon his graduation she gave him the opportunity to take part in Kalakshetra’s world-famous dance productions such as Kutrala Kuruvanji and Kumara Sambhavam. He played the role of Janaka in the Ramayana series Sitaswayam, as Shiva in Usha Parinayam which was a Bhavatha Mela Natya Nataka from Melattur.

In 1956 he was chosen to be a member of the Indian Cultural Delegation that visited U.S.S.R and Eastern Europe.

Shri. Adyar K. Lakshman also began broadcasting his vocal music concerts over the All India Radio station in 1958, and has since then continued to give live music radio recitals. Shri. Lakshman has the credit of recording a long play disc (LP) under the caption Inde Thala. This record was produced and marketed in France.