Chidambaram
The biggest and the best fest is at Chidambaram and starts on March 13 and ends on 17.
On Day One the dances go on till 4 a.m. the next day and on the rest of the days, end by midnight. It is open to all, is free and features the best artistes and groups and children too.
Each evening will feature one or two senior dancers/big groups.
Contact Natyanjali Trust, 56/138,East Car Street, Chidambaram.
Phone no. 04144-222732
Dancing in 'sannidhi' zone
Dancing before lord Nataraja at the 'sannidhi' in Chidambaram is a unique experience, where dancers perform right in front of the deity within the temple.
For the dancer, this performance is his/her personal offering to the lord.
An informal presentation, this is done at the mandapam where the devotees que up to see the lord.
Dancers are allowed to perform at any time of the day and many do so during the Natyanjali fest here.
Even dancers who don't get to actually perform on the stage as part of the main festival, can perform in front of lord Nataraja here.
You don't need permission to make this offering.
The best time to do this is in the morning.
Thanjavur
A five-day dance festival called Brahan Natyanjali is held at the Big Temple, Thanjavur. This year the fest begins on March 13 and goes on till March 18.
Recitals are held on a stone stage-like base set beneath the giant Nandi in the courtyard of the temple campus.
Guests can sit all around this space, freely.
For more info contact Brahan Natyanjali Foundation, Dr. V. V. R. Complex, Sixth Cross, Arulananda Nagar, Thanjavur - 613 007,
Phone:+91 4362 98424 55765, 04362-238235,
Email: bnfoundation@rediffmail.com
Kumbakonam
The Natyanjali dance festival at Kumbakonam will be held from March 13 and is planned for 4 days.
The dance fest which is held at the outer yard of the famed Sri Kumbeswarar Temple in the evenings during these days attract dancers from all over India and even abroad.
The artistes who perform at Chidambaram and the visitors to temples in this region can take advantage of the accessibility of this place to participate / attend the festival.
Artistes who like to offer homage at this festival may contact the oranisers at - Trustees. Natyanjali Trust Kumbakonam, Moopanar Bangalow, Dr. Besant Road, Kumbakonam - 612 001.
Sri. K.N. Rajagopalan
Secretary,
423, Ganapathi Nagar First Street,
Asoor post, K-Karupur,
Kumbakonam - 612 501.
Phone : 2442396, 99408 28863.
Nagapattinam
Natyanjali dance festival at the temple is dedicated to Kayarohana Swami and Neelayadakshi Amman at Nagapattinam.
It will be held from March 12 to 16
Dance recitals will be held from 7 pm onwards on all the days. These are being co-ordinated by Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam and her team in Chennai and handled by local hosts.
Thirunallar
The temple dedicated to Dharbaranya Swamy and Pranamambika Amman in Thirunallar is the place where Shivarathri dance recitals are held every year.
The fest will be held from March 12 to 16
Dance recitals will be held from 7 pm onwards on all the days. These are being co-ordinated by Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam and her team in Chennai and handled by local hosts.
Thirunallar is 5 kms west of Karaikal on the bus route of Karaikal - Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam.
Mayavaram
The fest will be held for 2 days, as things stand today. March 13 and 14.
