Located along the Bay of Bengal, about 75 kilometers from Pondicherry is the beautiful land of Chidambaram. It is well known not only as a tourist’s paradise for the beautiful beaches but also for the reputed Natyanjali Dance Festivals. Dedicated to the Cosmic Dancer, Lord Nataraja, the Natyanjali Dance Festival is a tribute to the Lord of Dance.
A joint venture of the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and the Natyanjali Trust, Chidambaram, the Natyanjali Dance Festivals is one of the most popular dance festivals of south India.
Description
The Natyanjali Dance Festivals are a platform for established and internationally reputed classical dancers as well as for amateur dancers. The motive behind organizing the dance festival on such a grand scale is to promote and spread the message of ‘unity in diversity’. The universal language of music is spread through the different forms of Indian classical dances. All regional, political and social barriers are overcome and every individual becomes a part of the single whole. This umbrella-feeling is one of the most important aims of the Natyanjali Dance Festivals, Tamil Nadu.
Performed at the ‘prakara’ of the temple in Chidambaram, the audience travels from different parts of the country and the globe. The five day celebration of the forms of Indian classical dance is set under the golden roof of Chidambaram’s temple. The 108 poses of Bharatnatyam forms the centre of the Natyanjali Dance Festivals, Tamil Nadu.
Time to celebrate
The Natyanjali Dance Festivals, Tamil Nadu is organized between February and March every year. This like every other religious festival of India is celebrated with immense enthusiasm and passion.
