Alarmel Valli was born in the year 1957.valli received formal training in dance by the renowned guru Shri Chokkalingam Pillai and his son Shri Subbaraya Pillai. Thereafter, Alarmel came under the tutelage of Smt. T. Mukha and studied Padams and Javalis for many years. She learnt Odissi from Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and his disciple, Guru Ramani Ranjan Jena. At the young age of 16 years, Valli was invited to perform at the International Dance Festival of the Sarah Bernardt Theatre De La Ville, in Paris.
Along with the performances she has also given lecture demonstrations, classes, workshops and seminars and has helped to create an international awareness of Bharatanatyam.Valli has done research for around 12 years on classical Tamil anthologies of Sangam poetry 2000 years old and she has worked to give the richness of the poems a visual and melodic dimension. Valli has evolved her own distinct style and extended her tradition within the broad framework of classical Bharatanatyam.
Alarmel Valli has many honours and awards to her credit. She is the recipient of numerous State and National awards.
Awards:-
Received State award of Kalaimamani in 1979.
State Artist of Tamilnadu between 1981 & 84.
Nrithya Choodamani in 1985.
The youngest dancer to be conferred the President's award of 'Padmasri' in 1991.
Award of the Sangeet Natak Akademy In 1984.
Alarmel Valli founded 'Dipashikha' a Centre for Performing Arts which imparts training for budding talents.
