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ângikam bhuvanam yasya
vâchikam sarvângmayam
âhâryam chandra târâdi
tam numah sâtvikam shivam
Experience the magic of traditional Indian dance with
NEERAJA SRINIVASAN
About the dance school
Neeraja aspires to create and hone complete artistes through her school of Bharatanatyam in Chennai. Her students are also trained in music, nattuvangam, and teaching, which will enable them to enjoy the complete bliss and grandeur of dance that she has experienced. She dedicates her school to that Thaandavam of Shiva, which is formless, timeless, and limitless.
A choreographer of repute
Neeraja is one of the few dancers who select and choreograph their presentations. Some special features of her choreography are adherence to tradition flavoured by creativity and versatility is evident in her ability to produce solos as well as group performances, traditional Margams, as well as thematic presentations.
Testimonials
Musicians applaud her
“It is a pleasure to play and sing for a dancer who, with her brilliant choreography, catches every beautiful nuance of rhythmic combinations.” Comment her orchestra after her every performance.
Contemporaries respect her
Her interesting compositions, complex jathi patterns, amazing footwork, and remarkable sense of layam have attracted her peers and the hearts of her seniors
The audience loves her
The tourists’ enthusiastic response to her graceful dance and delightful footwork has brought her back to the cherished Mamallapuram Dance Festival over and over for ten years now.
Another interesting incident that speaks for Neeraja’s brilliance is the unusual participation of the audience in her recital by singing along with great enjoyment, at the Periya Kovil, Thanjavur.
But the most special audience she has had is Lord Nataraja himself, when she had the unique opportunity to be chosen to dance in Chidambarm Nataraja Sannidhi.
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Portrayed the life of Ândâal through verses from the Thiruppavai at the Mamallapuram Dance Festival.
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Created a Margam based on compositions of Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar.
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Presented Valli Thirumanam on the occasion of Kanda Sashti, based on songs from the legendary Tamil movie Sri Valli.
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Presented a recital comprising the compositions of the peerless musical Trinity — Sri Tyagaraja, Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Sri Syama Sastri.
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Performed a Tamizh Margam with the compositions of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi.
Some of the audience’s favourites
Special packages to introduce Bharatanatyam to foreigners
The success of these specially designed recitals is evident in having inspired many a foreign guest to learn this traditional art form and explore our culture more.
Special performances in ancient temples
Neeraja has had the fortune of performing at important festivals in many ancient temples, such as
Sri Kapaleeshwarar temple, Chennai
Sri Mangadu Amman temple, Mangadu
Sri Ashtalakshmi temple, Chennai
Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, Madurai
Sri Uppiliappan temple, Kumbakonam
Sri Brihadeeshwarar temple, Thanjavur
Sri Pallikondeeswara temple, Surutupalli, (AP)
Sri Andal temple, Srivilliputhur
Expressive Abhinaya — Dinamalar
“Effective portrayal of the nayika waiting for her lover was splendid and admirable.” — Malavika
Commendable movements — “Prim, proper and precise” — The Hindu
“The lyrical beauty of a good posture transports a movement into the realm of timeless temple frescoes. It is this all-important posture that gives Neeraja’s movements sheen. The geometry is uncluttered, the lines are firm yet tempered, with enough softness to be graceful. The dancer’s footwork was also impressive.” — Rupa Srikanth
Qualifications for a perfect dancer in Neeraja, says, The New Indian Express
Bharata’s Natya Sastra, while detailing the qualifications for a perfect dancer, lays inter alia, considerable stress on hand gestures (hasta-mudras), pure dance, step skills, and rhythmic flavours — ‘Yatha hasthah, thatha rasah’. Neeraja gave satisfactory proof of her possession of these skills. — R Srinivasan
“Impressive technique” — The Hindu
“In the opening, ‘Sankara Sri Giri’ in `Hamsanandhi (Adi), Neeraja’s sharp nritta and eloquent freezes captured Siva’s magnificent form. The forceful nritta continued into the varnam teermanams where rhythm and technique complemented each other to good effect.” — Rupa Srikanth
Recognition in the media
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Interviewed by magazines such as Mangai, Dinamani Kadhir, Kumudam, Ananda Vikatan, Kalaimagal, etc
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Was photographed for the cover page of magazines such as Mangai, Dinamani Kadhir, etc
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Articles, interviews, and photos published in leading dance websites such as www.narthaki.com and www.kutcheribuzz.com
Prestigious assignments in recognition of her talent
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Performed for all the premier sabhas in Chennai during the famous Music and Dance season, as well as leading organisations in India and abroad.
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Was selected to take part in the internationally telecast video, “Vande Mataram” of A.R.Rahman
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Invited to perform in New Delhi for the International Trade Fair conducted by the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation.
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Selected and promoted all over Tamil Nadu by the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram under their scheme for the promotion of young artistes.
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Performed in the Natyanjali Dance Festival at Chidambaram.
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Performed for the South Zone Cultural Centre as well as the South-Central Zone Cultural Centre.
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Performed for the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, at Mamallapuram, Courtallam, Yecaud, Kodaikanal, Kanchipuram, etc.
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Performed for leading TV channels like Sun TV, Doordarshan, Mega TV, Jaya TV, etc.
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Invited as a Judge and Special Guest on several dance-related shows on TV.
Get in touch today
for classes, bookings, and inquiries
THAANDAVAM SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS
# 209/123, Royapettah High Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai 600004
Phone +919884140572
Email neerajathaandavam@hotmail.com
Website www.thaandavam.in