Melattur Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Jayanti Bhagavata Mela Natya Nataka Sangam (Estd. 1938) hosts
the 64th Bhagavata Mela Nataka Mahotsav 2004 from May 17 to 26, 2004 at Melattur in Tamilnadu.
Bhagavata Mela is an ancient temple/theatre art. A Telugu heritage, it came into being as a result of
Bhakti movement about 400 years ago.
The Bhagavata Mela natakams, composed by Melattur Venkatarama Sastry (1743-1809 A.D), are
performed annually, at the sannidhi of Lord Sri Varadaraja, the presiding deity of Melattur village as a
part of Sri Narasimha Jayanti celebrations. Melattur is located about 20 miles from Thanjavur in
Tamilnadu.
Besides the natakams, the fest also features Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Mohiniattam, Yakshaganam
and vocal concerts.
Schedule:
17 May 2004
7.00 pm: Mangala Isai - Nadaswaram by Thirukarugavoor Bros - TK Ramanan & TK Saravanan
8.30 pm: Inauguration of Mahotsav
9.00 pm: Bhagavata Mela Natakam - Prahlada Charitam
18 May 2004
7.00 pm: Bharatanatyam - Disciples of Nandini Ramani, Dr. V. Raghavan Centre for Performing Arts,
Chennai
8.00 pm: Vocal by Sumitra Vasudev (disciple of R. Vedavalli)
10.00 pm: Odissi by Sonal Mansingh (New Delhi)
19 May 2004
7.00 pm: Telugu Yakshaganam Gouri Shankara Pallaki Seva Prabandham by disciples of Uma Rama
Rao, Lasya Priya Academy of Indian Dances, Hyderabad
9.00 pm: Bhagavata Mela Natakam - Druva Charitram
20 May 2004
8.30 pm: Bhagavata Mela Natakam - Harichandra Natakam (Part-1)
21 May 2004
8.30 pm: Bhagavata Mela Natakam - Harichandra Natakam (Part-2)
22 May 2004
7.00 pm: Bharatanatyam by Narthaki Nataraj, Chennai
8.30 pm: Odissi by Shalini Sharma, Mumbai
10.00 pm: Mohiniattam by Gopika Varma, Dasyam Centre for Mohiniattam, Chennai
23 May 2004
8.30 pm: Bhagavata Mela Natakam - Harihara Leela Vilasam
24 May 2004
8.30 pm: Bhagavata Mela Natakam - Sati Savitri
25 May 2004
8.30 pm: Tamil Opera composed by eminent Tamil Scholars - Valli Thirumanam
26 May 2004
7pm onwards: Concluding Rituals - Sri Anjaneya Utsavam, Naama Sankeertan by Udayalur Balarama
Bhagavatar & Bhagavata Mela artistes followed by the procession of deity Sri Narasimha with His
Consorts
Fore more info, contact: Natarajan:
bhagavatamela@excite.com, Ph: (91 – 4374) – 273445 Sri L N J Bhagavata Mela N N Sangam 63 - 64 South St., Melattur 614 301, Thanjavur Dist., Tamilnadu
