Smt. Priyamvadha Murali

Our Current Director,

Smt Priyamvadha Murali, a post graduate in Ad and PR is the daughter- disciple of Kalaimamani, Sangeet Natak Academi, Prathiba Puruskar awardee, Natya Kalanidhi Melattur Sri S Natarajan and also a senior disciple of Padmasri Smt. Chitra Visweswaran, Chennai. 

Having come from a family of dancers who have been committed to upholding the five hundred year old unique Bhagavata Mela tradition from Tamil Nadu, Priyamvadha perceives dance not just as a mere art form but as internalization of one’s self for a blissful union with the almighty.

WhatsApp Image 2024-05-10 at 9.05.01 PM (1)
Priyamvadha Murali

Photo Credits: Dr. Murali, Druva Murali and Srivatsa Shandilya

Awards and Honours

  • Best Solo dancer, All India Schools Organization, New Delhi, 1985.
  • Apna Utsav, An all India cultural festival organized by Dept of culture, Government of India, 1986.
  • She has the honor of performing for the Ambassador of India, Indian Embassy and the Indian Consul General, UAE. She has toured the UAE under her father’s tutelage.
  • Guided by her Guru Padmasri Chitra Visweswaran, she has the honour of performing at Music Academy, Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai, chosen as one of the “Rising Stars of Renowned Gurus” by Nrithyodaya, New Delhi, Soviet Cultural Centre, New Delhi and has had the privilege of performing for the Sangeet Natak Academi for their Bharatanatya Mahotsava held at Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bangalore.
  • Well acclaimed reviews from press and public for training youngsters in the ancient Bhagavata Mela tradition.
  • The Avvai Arakattalai trust, Thiruvaiyaru, Melbourne Tamil Sangam and VGP Tamil sangam jointly conferred the title “Natya Kalai Semmal” for contributions to the rural community through Bhagavata Mela Vidyalaya.
  • India post, through postal department of Melattur, Thirukarukavoor and Papanasam released souvenir stamp in honour services to Village community through dance.
  • The Chennai Doordharshan, featured Priyamvadha and honoured her services through their path breaking women acheiver’s programme, Mangaiyar Solai, 2022.
  • Honoured for presenting special compositions on Dharma Samvardhini by The Dharmapuram aadhinam Swamigal. His Holiness Masilamani Gnanasambhandha Adigalar, Dharmapuram aadhinam, at Avvai Kottam, April 2022.
  • Inspirational speech at Bank of Baroda on International Women’s Day, March 2023, as chief guest, Melattur branch.
  • Honoured with the title of “Natupura Aadar Kalai Thilkam” by Avvai Arakattalai trust, for orienting the Vidyalaya disciples to the art of Kolattam,Pinnal Kolattam, Kolatta Javandarai, Odams ( odes )and thalattus( lullabies) hidden through oral traditions, 2023.
  • Motivational speech at School Assembly, VGN matriculation school, Melattur, August 2023, addressing the young student community from surrounding Villages of Melattur hamlet.
  • Priyamvadha Murali, was chief guest along with Vidhushi Sneha Devanandhan and Vidwan Sri Sai Venkatesh invited by Guru Mithun Shyam’s Vaishanavi Natyashala, Bangalore.
  • Priyamvadha Murali was part of the distinguished guests on the occasion of Aatmalaya Academy and Nadam’s Lec dem of chosen Kathak Choreography on Chakra Philosophy. Dr Padmaja Suresh, and Vidhushi Nilima Devi, MBE led the dance demonstration while Kathak Exponent Vidhushi Nandhini Mehta was the moderator of the intriguing event at Ananya Auditorium, Malleshwaram, Bangalore. Dr Ragavendra was part of the elite audience, on the 30th of June, 2024.
  • Priyamvadha Murali and the rest of the participants of Damodara Leela was blessed with a Citation by His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ramanuja Jeeyar, Yadugiri Yathiraja Mutt honouring the Nritya Harikatha Seva as part of the 75 days Amrutha Mahotsava celebrations of Jeeyar Swamigal.
  • Honoured with the Kalaichakra Mamani Award in recognition for services through art benefiting community by Pasumaivasal Foundation on 17th September, 2024 coinciding with honourable PM Narendra Modi’s birthday.
  • Vijayadasami rituals were rituallistically inaugurated with Chitsabesa  Nataraja Havanam and handing of Thalai Kol Asan title to Smt Priyamvadha Murali (dedicated to Guru Melattur Sri S Natarajan) by His Highness Bhabaji Rajah Bhonsle, Hereditary trustee, Thanjavur Devaswom Board.
  • Priyamvadha Murali was invited by Dr Karuna Vijeyandra special guest at the  screening of Ranga Vibhoga, National award winning film,  on the 30th December 2024.
  • Priyamvadha Murali presented an intriguing paper that was well received by Gurus and Scholars at the National conference of Music and dance, January 2025, Indira Nagar Sangeetha Sabha, Bengaluru.
Current Director Awards 1
Current Director Awards 2
Current Director Awards 3
Kalaichakra Mamani Award
Thalai Kol Asan

Published Articles

Ananya e Magazine

Ananya e Magazine, November 1 2022, Tribute to Guru Melattur Sri S Natarajan.

Culture Collecti e magazine

Inagural release of Culture Collecti e magazine. Article on the visionary guru Melattur Sri S Natarajan's contribution to the historic Melattur Village.

Narthaki

Narthaki, 11th July, 2022, Tribute to Senior editor and Journalist, G Ulaganathan.

Priyamvadha’s book review on The Dance of Tantra and a Satguru authored by Dr. Padmaja Suresh, was published by Narthaki and was widely appreciated by dance gurus, legends and rasikas alike.

Malarvanam e magazine

Malarvanam e magazine, Pattum Barathamum, October 2022, special issue, “sowing the seeds of art and culture in rural Indian soil” tribute to Guru Melattur Sri S Natarajan.

Guravey Sharanam

Review Article on Aatmalaya awards, 2o24 published by Narthaki magazine.

Priyamvadha Murali

  • Priyamvada has done a stupendous job of concising the book in limited words. The study of connection between Yantra, Tantra, Mantra and Naatya Yoga is not easy to comprehend and Dr. Padmaja Suresh has made it somewhat easy for the commoner and Naatya practitioners to assimilate them . This erudite review by itself kindles the interests of the readers. All the best.  – Naatyaachaarya V.P.Dhananjayan

  • Vidyalaya’s Home for Humanity international recognition featured in Narthaki Magazine, July Issue.
  • “Priyamvadha Murali being honoured as Bhagavata Mela Vidyalaya receives international recognition”. Dinamalar, June 16th, 2024.
  • Priyamvadha Murali from Bengaluru was part of the online Thirumoolar Thirumandiram presented through dance. – Dinamalar,  2024
  • “Vidyalaya disciple, Lakshmi Natarajan, Singapore for supporting the services of Vidyalaya honoured at Avvai Kottam, Thiruvaiyaru” Dinamalar, Local daily October, 2023.
  • “Vidyalaya resumes it s classes at Avvai Kottam, Thiruvaiyaru, 31st August, Dinamalar.
  • “Vidyalaya presents disciples from Melattur and Thiruvaiyaru at Dharmasamvardhini temple featuring and orienting students to traditional  Kolattam and thalattu” –  Pattum Bharathamum, August 2023.
  • “Bhagavata Mela Vidyalaya presents online aradhana” –  India Heritage news, 2021/22.
  • “Vidyalaya reaches out to children for Bharathanatyam in Avvai kottam, Thiruvaiyaru and Brilliant School. –  Thirumanoor, Dinamalar 9th September, 2022.”
  • “Natarajan is ably supported on and off stage by his daughter Priyamvadha Murali,a talented Bharathanatyam dancer and disciple of Padmasri Chitra Visweswaran”. Samudhra,Dr Radha Bhaskar, 2018.
  • Priyamvadha Murali –  karyakram ke sanyojak. Kaashi samachar by Chakravarthy Vijay Navat, Varanasi, 9th December, 2017. 
  • Priyamvadha Murali, dancer from Bangalore and  daughter of S Natarajan trained her son as Prahladha! This young chubby boy took to the stage as fish in water! – G Ulaganathan, Narthaki magazine, June 2016.
  • “10 year old Druva, was a conscientious Prahladha”. Rupa Srikanth, The Hindu, 2014
  • Natarajan’s wife Anuradha manages the kitchen during mela 24/7and his Bangalore based daughter Priya is a Bharathanatyam dancer ad helps train the youngsters. – The Hindu, Madhavi Puranam, June 2015.
  • “Well trained by his mother Priyamvadha Murali, Druva murali as Prahladha stole the show and won the hearts of the audience” – Sruthi magazine, S Janaki, 2015.
  • Priyamvadha murali, daughter of S Natarajan and Anuradha, has received a divine order to train young dancers  for Bhagavata Mela. –  Platinum Jubilee souvenir of Bhagavata Mela, Dr Padma Subrahmanyam, April 2015.

Press Reviews​

  • She consistently puts her efforts to create awareness among the young talented children our best wishes for the same. – Talents Trove, Gully Gully India, Feb 2010.
  • “And keeping a 500 year old tradition alive in Malleswaram is Priyamvadha Murali” Northwest Plus. –  TOI, Jul 2008.
  • “A glittering homage–1000th year celebration of Brihadeeshwara Temple as part of ABHAI”–The august gathering included Priyamvadha Murali. – Deccan Herald, 2010
  • “Her dedication to the cause is evident”  – TOI, Apr 2004.
  • “The credit goes to Natarajan’s daughter Priyamvadha Murali (disciple of Chitra Visweswaran) who has trained Prasanna for all the roles he depicted.” – Dr Nandhini Ramani, The Hindu, May 2003.
  • Good lines and praise worthy hold over Nritta, Nrithya and Abhinaya made Priyamvadha Murali’s Bharatanatya attractive. – Gunagrahi Magazine,  Jan 2003.
  • One can only describe Priyamvadha Murali’s recital as the last word in elegance. Both in the dance and in the way she held herself there was dignity and elegance. – Dr Surya Prasad, The Hindu, Jun 2001.
  • Priyamvadha Murali possesses all qualities required for a classical dancer. – News Today,  June 2001.
  • Her performance was highly appreciated by the audience which gave her a raising ovation. Press release. – Consulate General of India, UAE, 1997.
  • Her dance in its totality reminds one of the term “Alas Kanya” so much used in old Indian texts about aesthetics and sculpture. –  N K  Mudgal, The Hindustan Times, 1991.
  • “They danced their way into their hearts”. – The Statesman, New Delhi, 1991.
  • “Priyamvadha’s recital.accent on abhinaya..Her obeisance to deities, gurus, and audience was indicative of her dance heritage”. – Vasantha Iyer, Indian Express, New Delhi, 1991.
  • “ Priyamvadha Natarajan impressed with her mature abhinaya”. – Leela Venkataraman, The Hindu, 1991.
  • This young artist has dance in her blood. –  Dr T S Parthasarathy, Indian Express, 1989
  • “ Priyamvadha’s dance had a springy elegance to it!”- Dr Gowri Ramnarayan, The Hindu, 1989.

Priyamvadha can be contacted at:

Lasya Melalaya,
G 5, Srinidhi Scintilla, Hebbal, Kempapura
Bangalore 560024
Mob: 9449444300

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