Adyar K. Lakshman, vocalist, nattuvanar, mridangist and erstwhile dancer, is indubitably a sangeetagna, the complete expert in all the aspects of his vocation. Over the years he has received prestigious awards and titles for his popularity and prowess as a natyacharya. Citations for Kalaimamani (Eyal Isai Nataka Manram - 1981), Padma Shri (1989), Sangeet Natak Akademi award (1991), Sangeeta Kala Acharya (Music Academy), Nadhabrahmam (Narada Gana Sabha), adorn the walls of his sitting room. The latest feathers in his well decorated cap are Natya Kalanidhi (ABHAI – 2010) and Natya Kala Sarathy (2011). 77-year old Adyar Lakshman is one of Bharatanatyam’s foremost nattuvanar-s with a reputation for providing excellent support.

Born in the Chitoor District of Andhra Pradhesh in 1933, he showed unusual talent for rhythm and music at a young age. He then began his training at kalakshetra when he was 11. He was tutored in dance, music and mrindangam and received an exposure in classical arts from Rukmini arundale itself. He then went on to learn mridangam and Kathakali from Ambu and Chandu Panicker. He has also been closely associated with other great masters in the field, including Mylapore Gowri Ammal, K. Dandayuthapani Pillai, S. Saradha, Tiger Varadachari, Budalur Krishnamoorthy Sastrigal, T. K. Ramaswamy Iyengar, Mysore Vasudevacharya, Tanjore Rajagopala Iyer, V. Vital, Kamalarani, and Karaikudi Muthu Iyer.

He was cast by Rukmini Devi in prominent Kalakshetra productions like, "Kumara Sambhavam", "Kutrala Kuravanji", "Sita Swayamvaram" and "Usha Parinayam", based on the Melattur Bhagavata Mela tradition

He founded in 1969 the 'Bharatha Choodamani' Academy of fine arts in Chennai and ever since trained numerous students. Narasimhacharis, Roja kannan, Jayanthi Subramaniam and Bragha Bessel are few of his prominent disciples.