Delhi’s temperatures may have dipped to bone-numbing figures, but as you step into dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy’s home, you are engulfed in warmth. The bright glow of oil lamps in the pooja ghar at the entrance not only warm up the space but also one’s heart.

A highly decorated bharatanatyam and kuchipudi dancer, who is also the recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan and Padma Shree awards, Krishnamurthy lives in a two-storey house in South Delhi’s Hauz Khas. This is also where the artist runs her dance school, the Yamini School of Dance. “The house has been given to me by the government to promote dance education. I use the majority of the space to teach dance to children and young aspirants,” says Krishnamurthy.

You step through the gate and into a lush green garden that’s dotted with antique stone Hindu deities that Krishnamurthy mostly bought in Chennai. She says: “I like collecting antiques and so you will see them all around the house,” says the dancer.

Once you have entered the house, a big reception area welcomes you as the fragrance of incense sticks from the pooja ghar fills the winter air.

Further inside, on the left, is a large dancehall, the entrance to which has been done up in the artist’s black-and-white photographs. “I just love these pictures and decided to display them,” she says. The first floor — where Krishnamurthy lives — as well as the second floor have their own dance halls.

As you take the staircase to the first floor you can’t miss the display of photographs — taken over the decades — of Krishnamurthy in concert as well as her receiving awards. The landing between the two floors displays a huge stone artefact, an antique mirror and a Tanjore painting depicting Shri Rama Pattabhishekam (the coronation ceremony of Lord Ram after returning from exile). “These are all family heirlooms,” says the dancer.

The first floor has a long passage with rooms on either side. At the end of the passage is a large dance hall with a big balcony.

There’s an open kitchen to the right of the staircase and a library to the left. The room adjacent to the library is the dancer’s bedroom. Her office is right across from her bedroom. “My library is a treasure trove of all my father’s books, my own collection and the awards that I’ve won over the years,” says Krishnamurthy.

A collection of wooden boxes containing audio cassettes and CDs of her performances are neatly stacked on one side while a stand flaunts her vibrant dance costumes. A stunning picture of the dancer adorns one of the walls while a small display case showcases Krishnamurthy’s collection of glass bangles that she wore for her performances. “Here, you’ll find everything that I have earned throughout my life,” says Krishnamurthy pointing to the Padma Bhushan award that demands attention along with the other prestigious awards.

Krishnamurthy’s bedroom is done up in a minimalistic manner. “I didn’t want to clutter the space where I sleep,” she says. There’s a huge dresser that stores all her cosmetics, hair switches and skin-care essentials.

She has also created a family corner in her bedroom that has a collection of family photographs. “I wanted to keep my family pictures close to me as they help me keep calm,” she says.

Her office too has a plethora of photographs depicting her journey over the years. A display window stores yet more awards. “They are everywhere!” grins the dancer. The wall behind Krishnamurthy’s office table, is occupied with her own portrait painted by a German artist. “This was actually a photograph which has been converted into a portrait,” says Krishnamurthy. “It shows me performing at one of the temples in south India,”she says.

It’s sundown and Krishnamurthy’s students start streaming in for classes “This is how I always wanted my house to be, simple yet elegant, artistic yet homely,” says Krishnamurthy as she begins instructing her class on graceful dance mudras.

Photographs by Jagan Negi