Who Are We?
Us
A socially and culturally impactful dance school from the Village of Melattur, Tamil Nadu established in the year 2014, is the brain child of founder guru, the legendary Bhagavata Mela exponent, Melattur Late Sri S Natarajan. “A Monumental institution”, as addressed by dance legends, Vidyalaya functions with a mission to empower the rural student community in life skills through art.
Under Current Leadership
Currently directed by Smt Priyamvadha Murali, daughter disciple of Guru Melattur Late Sri S Natarajan and senior disciple of Padmasri Smt Chitra Visweswaran, Chennai.
Over 35 years of assisting her father’s magnum work in Bhagavata Mela with critical appreciation from press and public, she now imparts free training to about 200 children in and around villages of Melattur, Thiruvaiyaru and Thirumanoor. Ably supporting her in this endeavour is her dance school in Bangalore Lasya Mela Laya, ardent rasikas and Bhagavata Mela foundation, an 80 G trust.
Abiding Principles
“ The association of people with art forms elevates the human soul, knowledge and practice of these art forms help them enrich their personality and orient them towards peace, self restraint and love for all”.
“ Preservation and conservation of India’s rich cultural heritage, promotion of all art forms both tangible and intangible, folk and tribal, oral traditions, art and literature, anthropology and ethnology visual arts and painting, all need to be patronized through Guru Shishya systems”.
– Melattur Guru Sri S Natarajan
The concept of Panchabootha Tatvam remained a significant force in Guru Sri S Natarajan’s blissful life, especially the factor of the Divine Jyothi. All the shishya groups in Vidyalaya is named after the Pancha booths namely. PRITHVI, VAYU,AGNI, JHALAM, AKASHAM.
To him, the art had to be above the artist. The experience of the art for the sahrudaya should culminate in a blissful confluence of the jeevatma and the paramatma.
All krutis / compositions are chosen, researched and taught to orient the students to our rich culture, heritage and traditions. Keeping up the ancient mode of Natya aradhana, the disciples perform in the holy arenas of temple Brahmotsavams at Divya Desams, Padal Petra Sthalams and at divine sanctum.