Natyanjali 2026: Offering to Nataraja

Chidambaram Natyanjali Trust has organised the five days festival of classical dances to celebrate Shiva Ratri, wherein “Natya’ is an “Anjali”(offering) to the Lord of Dance- Nataraj, on the auspicious occasion of Shivaratri at the Rajah Sri Annamalai Chettiar premises of the iconic temple. The Natyanjali Trust was established in the year 1981 and the festival attracts the attention of classical dancers from around the globe. The five days festival commences on 13th February and concludes on 17th February. While Bharata Natyam dominates the scenario, there are dancers performing other styles like Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Kathak too. The festival is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.

The dance teachers whose disciples would perform on the evening of Shiva Ratri – 15th February, are Guru Amiritavarshnii Raju from Puducherry, Kalairashi, Padma S Raghavan, Sreekala Bharat, Maneesha Sathe for Kathak, Revathi Narasimhman, Jaikishore and Dr Padmavani Mosalikanti for Kuchipudi, Snehal Kalmakar, Sharath TS, Shama Krishna, Aruljathi, Anjana Pradep,lavanya Sankar, Uma Satyanaranan and Aparna Vinod. While there are lot of entries from Chennai and Bangalore, there are entries from other cities as well. The overseas teachers whose disciples would perform in the festival are Guru Ananya Ankaran from United Kingdom, Guru Sudha Thomotiran, Guru Uma Sivabalan and Guru Shangkar Krishnasamy. all the three from Malaysia and Dr Ratna Kumar from USA.

Sambandam, Secretary of Chidambaram Natyanjali Trust said “Initially we had planned the festival for three days with the conclusion on Shiva Ratri but there have been many requests, hence we have extended the festival for two days and it concludes on 17th February. We thank the support of everyone for their kind cooperation”.