Bharatanatyam Artist from Velliamabalam Trust - School of Dance 27A VSV Koil Street, Mylapore Chennai 600004, TN, India
Artistic Background
Narthaki is a disciple of Tanjore Shri K P Kittappa Pillai, who was a direct descendant of the Tanjore Quartet brothers (considered the fathers of Bharatanatyam). She learnt and practiced under him in Gurukul (Full time residential) for 14 years and specialized in the Tanjore style Nayaki Bhava tradition. She also trained under him on rare compositions as was practiced in ancient Tamil Temples.
Narthaki believes in maintaining and propagating the pristine purity of the Nayaki Bhava tradition. In that process, she has been able to elevate audiences to a higher plane. Many audiences have been moved to tears and some have reported divine experiences during her shows.
Her stoic courage and steadfast determination in the face of societal hurdles as a member of the third gender, have added more inspiration and expression to her Jeevathma’s pursuit of Paramathma (God).
She has performed at all leading festivals in India, USA, UK and Europe. She recently received Padma Shri from the Government of India, the SNA Puraskar Award from The President of India and a Senior Fellowship from Dept. of Culture, Govt. Of India. She was bestowed with a honorary doctorate by Periyar Maniammai University. For the first time in India, a school text book (11th Standard - Tamilnadu) features her life story.
As a mark of her devotion to the divine dancer Lord Shiva, she has named her institution “Velliyambalam School of Dance”. Here, along with her friend Ms Sakthi Bhaskar, she trains many Indian and foreign students on the traditional repertoire as handed down to her by her guru.
🎤 About Padmashri Dr Narthaki Nataraj
Padmashri Dr. Narthaki Nataraj is a distinguished Indian Bharatanatyam dancer, renowned for her dedication to the Tanjore-style Nayaki Bhava tradition. Born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, she recognized her feminine identity at a young age and found solace in dance as a means of expression. Facing societal challenges, she left home at 12 and pursued rigorous training under Tanjore K.P. Kittappa Pillai, a direct descendant of the Tanjore Quartet, for 14 years. In 2000, she established the Velliyambalam School of Dance in Chennai and Madurai, imparting traditional repertoire to students worldwide. Her exceptional artistry has earned her numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri in 2019, making her the first transgender woman to receive this honor. Dr. Nataraj's life journey has been recognized in Tamil Nadu's 11th standard Tamil textbook, inspiring many with her resilience and commitment to preserving classical dance traditions.
Performance History
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The Journey
Narthaki was born in the third gender in a well to do family near Madurai. She was subject to social ridicule and rejection. However her passion for dance took her to Shri K P Kittappa Pillai who lived in Tanjore. He accepted her as his disciple and she stayed in his house and trained under him for 14 years. She also worked with him as an assistant in Tanjore Tamil University. Narthaki currently lives in Chennai and travels extensively within and outside India preserving and propagating the pristine purity of a tradition that is many centuries old.
Notable Performances
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Vishva Kala Bharathi - Bharat Kalachar
Dharmapura Aadheena - Bharatanatya Kalanidhi and Aashthana Vidwan
Nritya Kalanidhi - Music Academy (2022)
Padmashri by Govt of India (2019)
SNA Puraskar Award from The President of India
Kalaimamani by Govt. of Tamilnadu
Nritya Choodamani - Sri Krishna Gana Sabha
Teaching Experience
Motivational Speaker and Social Activist
Member of the TN State Planning Commission
Preserving and Propagating rare compositions of Tanjore Quartets
Exponent of Tanjore Nayaki Bhava Tradition as practiced in ancient Tamil Temples.
Researching and Performing Bharanatyam based on Sanga Litreature, Thevaram, Thiruvasagam, Thirupugazh (Saiva Litt)., Nalayaira Dhivya prabhandam, Azhwar Pasurams (Vainava Litt.) etc.
Set up and running Velliyambalam School of Dance in Chennai with students from India as well as foreign students interested in Indian culture.
Widely written and reviewed by major newspapers and magazines.
Widely held as a role model by Transgender community for having braved social ridicule and exclusion - for the success and acceptance achieved in the world of dance through hard work perseverance and passion.
Performance, Lecture demo and Paper presentation on Kambha Ramayanam (Tamil Classic) at various Kambhan Kazhagam chapters across the world (a community of renowned scholars)
Committee member for selecting best books in art section by Tamil Nadu Govt.
Committee member in advisory committee at Chennai South Zone Cultural Centre
Awards
Vishnu Kala Bharathi - Bharat Kalachar
Life Time Achievement - Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan
Dharmapuram Aadheenam - Bharatanatya Kalanidhi
Dharmapuram Aadheenam - Aasthana Vidwan
Nritya Kalanidhi from Music Academy (2022)
Padma Shri from Govt of India (2019)
Life story featured in the 11th standard Tamil Textbook of Tamilnadu Government (2018)
Doctor of Letters from Periyar Maniammai University 2016
SNA Purasakar Award from The Hon. President of India 2011
Kalaimamani Award from Tamilnadu Govt 2007
Empaneled Artist in ICCR
Top Grade Artist in Prasar Bharathi
Nruthya Choodamani Award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha
Senior Fellowship Awardee from Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India (2014-2017)
Junior Fellowship Awardee from Sangeet Natak Akademi (2003-2005)
Visiting Scholar at Oslo School of Music in Norway
Has performed in Cleveland Festival USA, Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan UK and many other International forums and events in USA, Canada, Europe etc.
Has performed for prestigious dance festivals and events in India.
THE AANDAAL PROJECT
