Living and breathing dance
In the temple town of Madurai, South India, art, culture and dance are a way of life. We celebrate Bharatanatyam steeped in the history of ritual and tradition. Come join us on this journey to spread the joy of dance far and wide.
WHO WE ARE
Our Story
We only like to think of adults being affected by the vicissitudes of life. However, I feel children have the great responsibility of shaping their future on their tiny shoulders. Values such as compassion, respect, discipline, integrity - these and more are the ideals that can best guide them through the vagaries of life and shape them as an adult. For me, dance was this guide.
My tutelage under Dr. Kalarani Ramachandran had and continues to have an outsized influence on my relationship with classical dance. Her approach and grace successfully imbibed a deep respect and fascination for the nuances of the tradition. As I set up my architecture practice in 2003, I could not be separated from dance. Starting with two students in the living room of my family home, the makeshift classes grew into the formal establishment of a global Nritya Kshetra - The Temple of Dance.
My teaching practice has continued to shape my personal growth - dance has been my anchor through both the calm and turbulent moments in life. I should like to think that I have gifted the very same to my students across the years. A guide, a friend, a mentor - so they may always have the strength to face up to the challenges of life, and grow to spread joy.
From the Archive
Impromptu dance performance by Harsha Vardhini at Auroville, dancing to 'Kandisa' by Indian Ocean. 2007.
HOW WE DO IT
Our Approach
We believe that a personal and friendly environment is best for the students' growth and motivation.
Comprehensive
It's much more than dance steps. It's more about the soul of the art.
Bespoke
Before you enroll, we'll first meet with you online or in person to discuss our curriculum and put you through a demo class.
Cultural Training
We teach about the culture, which plays an important role and helps you orient better.
Classroom Setting
Whether online or in person, you have others in your batch. This always has a fomenting effect on your learning.
Fine-tuned Methodology
Gain from our more than decade long experience in imparting training in classical dance forms.
Pay Online
Easy payment options no matter where you are in the world.
Give wings to your desire to learn Bharatanatyam
Good things in life always take time. Learning the arts is one such thing. With good and easy guidance however, we become part of your journey - fellow traveler. We help instill in you respect and appreciation for this beautiful art form and the rest should fall in place pretty automatically.
Where we're at
Nritya Kshetra - Temple of Dance
No. 410, K.K. Nagar, Madurai - 625020
Tamil Nadu, India.
Tel: +91 98941 56888
Mon - Sat: 09:00 - 21:00
FEEDBACK
Testimonials
My Bharatnatyam journey with Guru Harsha began back in 2009 when I first fell in love with the sacred dance while studying Hinduism in South India. I began taking intensive classes with Harsha, learning from the very basic steps to the deep symbolism of mudras, to full on choreographies that described stories from the vedas. She has divine patience and teaches with a pace that allowed me to perform on national stages within 3 months. I continued to take classes with Harsha for many years and learned so much from her grace and elegance as a dancer and person. Anyone would be lucky and blessed to have Harsha as a dance guru. She is exceptional in all that she does and I am grateful for this very special gift that she has given me.
To touch, to move, to inspire – This is the true gift of dance. My association with dance flourished under my guru Harsha Vardhini Ayalasomayajula, who is not only an incredible teacher but also unparalleled as a dancer. In my 10 year long journey at Nritya Kshetra, I learnt that Bharatnatyam is more than a graceful artform – It requires skill, precision, discipline and strength. It completely changed every aspect of my life and it continues to shape me even after I left. Aside from personal growth, I learnt a lot about my culture and heritage. Some of my favourite memories were when all the sishyas (students) would sit on the floor and do the hand gestures while our guru (teacher) told us the story the song was telling. Not only did it bring us closer to this artform, but it also gave meaning to every stance. At Nritya Kshetra, I was given the opportunity to learn, teach, grow and perform at various parts of the country along with some exceptional dancers and for that, I am eternally grateful.
When there is chaos inside of me, I find that the art of dance liberates me and gives me a peace of mind. I learn Bharatnatyam and so much more from my guru, she is creative and patient in taking us through the learning process. Nritya kshethra is a not a place, its the people that makes you to want to be a part of it. Nritya Kshethra, The Temple of Dance.
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