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My Acharya

Kalaimamani
Urmila Sathyanarayanan

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Urmila Image.png

Urmila Sathyanarayanan is among the most inspired and dedicated Bharatanatyam exponents of  her generation. Nimble movements and pristine purity of her expressions, helped by her intrinsic charisma and irrepressible cheerfulness, create spellbinding magic, holding the watcher in  thrall. Her dedication to dance is total and Bharatanatyam is richer by her experience, expertise and  most importantly devotion.  

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As a precocious child she had her initial training under noted Guru Padmashri  K.N.Dandayuthapani Pillai and was later groomed by Guru Kalaimamani Smt. K.J. Sarasa.  

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Concurrently Urmila also had University education and obtained a degree in arts. However she continued her career in Bharatanatyam, expanding her horizon by making additions to her repertoire.  Restless with her achievements in the field, Urmila soon founded her own institution, "Natya  Sankalpaa" and is actively engaged in imparting training to aspiring students. 2016 marked the 40th anniversary of her arangetram.  

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Urmila Sathyanarayanan is the only Bharatanatyam Dancer who is an outstanding performer,  institution builder who produces solo performers, group productions and trains passionate  youngsters. Her contribution in the field of Bharatanatyam is enormous. Urmila Sathyanarayanan had her arangetram on 4th January 1974 at the Madras Music Academy  in the august presence of the then Governor of Tamilnadu.

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Source: www.urmilasathyanarayanan.com

Awards & Accolades

  • 2024 Sangeet Natak Academy's National Award for Bharatanatyam given by the Government of India

  • 2023 Sangita Kala Jyoti given by Saraswati Educational Trust

  • 2019 Naatya Padhmam given by Brahma Gana Sabha

  • 2018 Nrithya Kala Nipuna given by The Mylapore fine arts club

  • 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award given by Karthik Fine Arts

  • 2016 Best Natyacharya Award given by Indian Fine Arts

  • 2015 Sathya Nrita Sundaram Award given by Bharathanjali - Smt Anitha Guha

  • 2015 Guru Sreshta Award given by Rotary Club of Madras North West

  • 2014 Bharatha Kala Rathna given by Trinity Arts Festival Of India

  • 2012 Shri Obul Reddy Senior Dancer Award given by Narada Gana Sabha Natyarangam

  • 2009 Best Natyacharya Award given by Indian Fine Arts Society

  • 2006 Chennai Television Viewers Award given by Chennai Television Viewers Association

  • 2005 Padma Sarangapani Award given by Padma Sarangapani Cultural Academy

  • 2003 Vani Kala Sudhakara given by Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha

  • 2003 National Eminence Award given by Shanmukhananda Sabha Mumbai

  • 2003 Nitya Gandharva Jothi given by Shantananda Swami, Kasi

  • 2002 Natya Ilavarasi given by Tamiz Sangam, Toronto

  • 2001 Nritya Choodamani given by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha

  • 1998 'Aditya Vikram Birla Kala Kiran Puraskar given by Governor of Maharastra

  • 1997 Kalaimamani given by Tamil Nadu State Government

  • 1996 Nadanamamani given by Karthik Fine Arts

  • 1993 Yuva Kala Bharati given by Bharath Kalachar

  • 1995 Yuva Kala Bushani given by Shankarabharanam Trust

  • 1992 MGR Award given by Madras Music Academy

  • 1991 1st Price Dance Competition given by Indian Fine Arts Society

  • 1990 Vasanthalakshmi Narasimhachari Award given by Narada Gana Sabha

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​Source: www.urmilasathyanarayanan.com

Achivements & Past Shows

Achievements

Smt Urmila Sathyanarayanan is a former member of the Governing Board of the Kalakshetra Foundation, Thiruvanmyur, Chennai.

Smt Urmila Sathyanarayanan is on the Governing Body of the South Zone Cultural Centre

The Government of India awarded her scholarship and later a grant for the production of "Bharathi's Dream of An Independent India"; She is also in the ‘outstanding’category of Bharatanatyam artists empanelled by the I.C.C.R., New Delhi. She is an ‘A Top’ grade artist of theDoordarshan Kendra.

Past Shows

Urmila has danced in various cities in India and abroad. Some of her most prestigious performances have been:

India

• The Festival of Dances, New Delhi

• Khajuraho Festival of Dance

• Konark Festival, Orrisa,

• The Sangeet Natak Festival, Assam

• Danced at the Ganges Festival, Varanasi

• Festival of Dance, Goa

• Malabar Mahotsava, Kerala

• Nishangandhi Festival, Kerala

• Citibank Festival of Dance Kalakshetra Foundation etc.

• Celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence,Government of Tamil Nadu

• Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Shanmukhananda Sabha, Mumbai

• Brahmotsavam, Tirumala

• Inauguration of Ravindra Bharati, Hyderabad

• The ICCR, New Delhi • SPIC Macay - "Yamini Festival"

• Inauguration of World Chess Championship with 100 Dancers, all students of Natya Sankalpaa in the august presence of the Hon. Chief Minister Dr. J.Jayalalitha

• Inauguration of Global Investor’s Meet, Chennai, Sept 2015 – in the august presence of

• The Hon. Chief Minister Dr. J.Jayalalitha

She has performed in all leading Sabhas during the December season in Chennai.

International

• Festival of India' Edinburgh - 1999

• ICCR Egypt, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Norway, England.

• Toured France for Triveni 1999 and 2004.

• Sutra Dance Festival, Malaysia 2001.

• Toured the United States of America and Canada for Kalalaya in 2003, 2005

• Academy of Tamil Arts and Technology, Canada 2002.

• Neelam Tiruchelvan Trust, Muthukrishnaswami Mission Sri Lanka (2002).

• Royal Tropical Institute, Netherlands, 1999-2000, 2006

• Tamiz Sangam, Dubai 2003

• Dance India Taste India Festival, Temple of Fine Arts, Australia 2002

• SIFAS, Esplanade, Singapore April 2005.

• Sangeetham Festival, Saddlers Wells, London June 2006.

• Muthukrishna Swamy Mission, Sri Lanka 2002

• ICCR South Africa, Centenary of Salt Sathyagraha in Johanesburg in the presence of

• Honble Prime Minister of India and South Africa.

• Sydney Music and Dance Festival, June 2009

• Annual Celebration at Nalloor Kandaswamy Temple - SriLanka(ICCR)

• Independence Day celebration, Edinburgh (ICCR)

• Aadal Velvi , Kamban Kazhagam Australia 2023

Thematic Presentations

• 'Potana Bagavatham'

• 'Panchali Sapatham' - Musical Score by Lalgudi G Jayaraman

• Woman - 'Past, Present, Future' - highlighting the status of the Indian Woman of the past,present & in the future.

• Programs based solely on the compositions of Thyagaraja, Annamacharya, Swati Thirunaletc.

• Bhakti Manjari - Facets of Bhakti

• Vaishnava Barati - Highlights the Important Vaishanva Shrines across the country

• 'Bharati's Dream of an independent India'

• 'Rama Rasanubhavam' - excerpts from Arunachala Kavi's 'Ramanatakam'

• Meera The Lotus of Prem

• Sauram – An ode to the Surya • Turning Point

• Apoora Poorva

• ‘Jagatah Pitharau Vande’

• ‘Sabha Pathy’

• ‘Godha’

• ‘Namah Parvathi Pathaye’

• Thellathelindaartau Jeevan Shiva Lingam

• Yennatavarkom Iraiva Potri

• Thadathagai – The Eternal Queen of Madurai

Natyasankalpaa

Natya Sankalpaa was started on April 21st 1996. The formal inauguration of the Trust was held the following year at the Narada Gana Sabha. The guests of honor were Smt. M.S.Subbalakshmi and Smt Padma Subramanyam.

 

Natya Sankalpaa over the years, has continued to make steady progress. Several arangetrams and group presentations have been conducted. Students have presented programs within the country and abroad. Theory of Dance, Carnatic Music and Yoga are part of the curriculum. Examinations are held periodically to evaluate both the theoretical and practical knowledge of the student. The focus is on creating a complete artist.Strong emphasis is laid on imparting cultural values. Students are encouraged to participate in group events held by the institution. Senior students who have completed their arangetram are now part of the main stream Bharatanatyam circuit.

 

Arangetrams are conducted every year by the institution with 162 arangetrams completed till date. The institute has come to be recognised for its quality and holistic approach. Within a short time of its inception the centre has been recognised as one of excellence for its training and methodology.

 

The institution celebrated its 10th anniversary in the presence of Smt. K. J. Sarasa and Smt. Leela Samson. The 20th anniversary showcased two presentation ‘Bhavayami Raghuramam and “Meera, ‘The Lotus of Prem’ .The 100th arangetram of the institution was held on 25th June 2016.The event included an item by all the 100 dancers who completed their Arangetram.

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In order to whole heartedly support artists during the challenging times of the pandemic a 3 day event Arpanam (Oct 2021) was conducted by the institution. This showcased leading dancers from Chennai and Bangalore.

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​Source: www.urmilasathyanarayanan.com

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