There is so much to see in India that you can explore it throughout your life.
Away from the glow and charm of Bangalore and our everyday appreciation of its cool climate, lies a village that is known for Dance. You heard it right - Nrityagram.
Nrityagram is India's first modern age Gurukul for Indian Classical Dances and was started by the famous Odissi dancer, Protima Gauri in 1989. It was inaugrated by the then Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh in 1990 near Hesaraghatta Lake.
Protima Gauri, Odissi Dancer - Founder of Nrityagram
The residential school offers dance training in Odissi, Kathak, Mohinattam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam and Manipuri. - 8 hours a day, 6 days a week. It follows the age old education system of Guru-shishya.
The school was designed by renowned Indian architect Gerard da Cunha who is known for utilising locally available materials for construction.
Slide across to see some photos of the village
International Reach
The dance and the Nrityagram made its debut in 1996 in New York and was categorized as "one of the most luminous dance events of the year". This set the way for an international outreach and experienced sold out shows in Hawaii, USA, Middle East, Europe, Japan, Macau and Australia.
Temple
A dedicated and thoughtfully designed temple was built in 1998. It is decorated with panels with elements, dance motifs, mudras and ghunghroos. Inside is a granite rock to hold water and flame that stays lit.
Yoga Center
A Yoga center is attached to the temple and is also used for in-house performances
Dining Hall
This is the heart of the village and acts as a community kitchen. Many students return to Nrityagram just to experience the meal that the community used to have during their practice. It acts like a bond between them.
When to Visit?
Make sure to first check with the concerned people about the opening hours, post Covid. However, generally it is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays 10AM to 2PM. Find out on the website for more details.
Do make a visit to this amazing village where Dance is a way of life. From the words of Protima Gauri -
"I dream of building a community of dancers in the foresaken place amidst nature. A place where nothing exists, except dance. A place where you breathe, eat, sleep, dream, talk, imagine - dance.
A place where all five senses can be refined to perfection. A place where dancers drop negative qualities such as jealousy, small-mindedness, greed and malice to embrace their colleagues as sisters and support each other in their journey towards becoming dancers of merit.
A place called Nrityagram"
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