Trailokasyasya sarvasya
Natyam bhavanukirtanam
Natya is the glorification of all the emotive features of the world.
Trailokasyasya sarvasya
About Institute
Shivalayam Academy of Fine Arts is the brainchild of Ms Dhanalakshmi K. It is the outcome of a decade-long tapas, commitment, hard work and perseverance to provide learning opportunities to young fine art aspirants. Being a Bharatanatyam dancer, it was easier for her to lay the foundation stones in the same art.
Dance, which is considered a part of the theatre from time immemorial, is essentially associated with music and instruments. Hence, at Shivalayam courses are not only conducted in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam but also in Nattuvangam, Carnatic Vocal and Musical Instruments like Violin, Veena, Flute, Mridangam, Guitar and Keyboard.
With its holistic approach and comprehensive syllabus, Shivalayam immerses its students in aesthetic bliss and slingshots their artistic growth.
About the teacher
“Etashcha nartanvidhau
Shastrataha sampradayataha”
Uses of gestures and postures in dance and drama are to be learnt from the shastra, tradition and through the favour of the wise people. (A.D. 324)
As a disciple of Nadanamani Guru K Manoju Kumar, Dhanalakshmi excelled in the Tanjore style of the art form in her preparatory years. After six years of intensive training, she performed her Arangetram under the guidance of her Guru Shri Manoju Kumar and his senior disciple, Smt. P. Mahalakshmi. She consistently participated in events and competitions throughout her academic years. In her quest for perfection, she has been a high achiever in academics, dance and athletics with equal fervour.
After completing her undergraduate, Dhanalakshmi decided to professionally pursue her passion. This drove her towards pursuing a Diploma, and later a Master’s in Bharatanatyam. Here, she was introduced to the Dandayudapani Pillai style of Bharatanatyam by Dr Himaja Athul Kumar.
Considering that Bharatanatyam is a vast ocean with an amalgamation of practical and theoretical knowledge, she made it her mission to research and learn well the nuances of the art form by attending various workshops and certificate courses. She is trained in the theory of Bharatanatyam under Dr Sujatha Mohan, Nattuvangam under Dr Himaja Athulkumar, Dr G V Guru Bharadwaaj and Guruji Natyacharya Sri S Balachandra Raju.
Dhanalakshmi has successfully trained students for Bharatanatyam grade level exams, Diploma and Masters in Bharatanatyam. With her strong understanding of Margam, she has guided a dozen students for their Salangai Poojai and Arangetram. Today, with her maiden initiative, she wishes to provide a platform for students to learn and excel in the art with a 360° approach.
Dhanalakshmi has successfully trained students for Bharatanatyam grade level exams, Diploma and Masters in Bharatanatyam. With her strong understanding of Margam, she has guided a dozen students for their Salangai Poojai and Arangetram. Today, with her maiden initiative, she wishes to provide a platform for students to learn and excel in the art with a 360° approach.
As a disciple of Nadanamani Guru K Manoju Kumar, Dhanalakshmi excelled in the Tanjore style of the art form in her preparatory years. After six years of intensive training, she performed her Arangetram under the guidance of her Guru Shri Manoju Kumar and his senior disciple, Smt. P. Mahalakshmi. She consistently participated in events and competitions throughout her academic years. In her quest for perfection, she has been a high achiever in academics, dance and athletics with equal fervour.
After completing her undergrad, Dhanalakshmi decided to professionally pursue her passion. This drove her towards pursuing a Diploma, and later a Master’s in Bharatanatyam. Here, she was introduced to the Dhandayudapani Pillai style of Bharatanatyam by Dr Himaja Athul Kumar.
Considering that Bharatanatyam is a vast ocean with an amalgamation of practical and theoretical knowledge, she made it her mission to research and learn well the nuances of the art form by attending various workshops and certificate courses. She trained in the theory of Bharathanatyam under Dr Sujatha Mohan, Nattuvangam under Dr Himaja Athulkumar, Dr G V Guru Bharadwaaj and Guruji Natyacharya Sri S Balachandra Raju.
Dhanalakshmi has successfully trained students for Bharatanatyam grade level exams, Diploma and Masters in Bharatanatyam. With her strong understanding of Margam, she has guided a dozen students for their Salangai Poojai and Arangetram. Today, with her maiden initiative, she wishes to provide a platform for students to learn and excel in the art with a 360° approach.
Teacher Speaks
“Shri Gurubhyo Namah”
Bharatanatyam has always been a constant in my life from the day I joined dance class as an eight-year-old. Apart from learning, I started choreographing at a very young age. During school, I was a go-to for all my teachers for choreographing Carnatic and folk songs.
Growing up I always craved to fill my knowledge base. The thirst for exploring and research was never-ending. As I started on my journey to mould myself professionally, I realised that there is a huge rift between the practical and theoretical learning of Bharatanatyam. With this newfound enlightenment, I decided that I should be able to provide all-round training to my students.
Hence, at Shivalayam, students are trained in both practical aspects and theory of Bharatanatyam, basics of Thalam and advanced level Nattuvangam.
There is no one solution for learning. I provide a varied range of syllabus catering to the personal needs and goals of the students and parents. To maintain and exhibit the utmost quality, I have tied up with a couple of institutions and colleges to provide affiliated courses in fine arts.
Recently, I was appointed as the North-western part of Chennai City Coordinator by Griffin College, London to provide GCL qualification courses and assist students willing to have international recognition.
In future, I wish to guide as many aspirants as possible and help them achieve their goals in life.
At this point, I would like to take a moment to pay respect and bow down to the true heroes of my life – my parents. They have been a pillar of support from the day I started learning Bharatanatyam, and to date have extended their constant support, kindness, affection and love towards me. Without them, it would have been impossible for me to take any leaps in my life. I feel extremely fortunate to have parents who wish to walk with me on this journey of propagating an Indian art form. For me they have been true to the following Sanskrit sloka:
“SarvatIrthamayI maataa sarvadevamayaH pitaa
MaataraM pitaraM tasmaat sarvayatnena pUjayet”
Which means, a mother is the embodiment of all pilgrimages, i.e. to a person she is an object of veneration and a father is (the embodiment) of all deities, i.e. he is the embodiment of all the gods combined. It is, therefore, our sacred duty that we should revere and serve both of them with utmost care and attention.