Guru
Nartanaalaya – The Temple of Dance
Chandna is the founder and Artistic Director of “Nartanaalaya – The Temple of Dance,” established to promote the art of dance. Over the decades, she has choreographed and performed numerous dance pieces and ballets in India, London, Cambodia, Greece, and across the USA. Her journey is marked by continuous growth, fueled by a profound love for dance, a commitment to community service, and a belief in dance's power to inspire and unite.
Guru
Smt. Chandna (Veturi) Talluri
Chandna is a versatile Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer, renowned for her notable performances and innovative blend of dance and visual art (Chitra Natyam). Holding dual master's degrees in Software Engineering and Kuchipudi, she is a passionate performer, choreographer, and researcher and a full-time seasoned software professional based in California, USA.
Chandna has had the privilege of performing globally, which has shaped her identity as an artist and educator and earned her numerous accolades. Dedicated to community service and mentorship, she collaborates with local organizations and guides emerging dancers. As a member of CID UNESCO and KnowYourRoots, she works to preserve and promote dance as a cultural expression.Chandna began her training in Bharatanatyam under the guidance of eminent Natyacharya, Guru Sri V.S. Ramamoorthy, and learned Kuchipudi from Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna at the age of four, continuing her studies under Smt. Uma Rama Rao for several years.
My humble attempt inspired from Maate Varnam::
మాతే అఖిల భువన వర దాతే Maate akhila bhuvana vara daate
మాతే మా జీవన మార్గదర్శ గ్యాతే || Maate maa jeevana margadarsa gyate ||
సుందర రూపిణి నిన్ను వర్ణించ నా తరమా Sundara roopini ninnu varnincha naa taramaa
లక్ష్మీ దేహిని నిన్ను పూజించ నా వరమా || Lakshmi dehini ninnu pujincha naa varamaa ||
నారాయణ వరమై యోగానంద ప్రియవై Narayana varamai yogananda priyavai
ఉత్తమ భాషిణివై చందన భూషిణివై || Uttama bhashinivai chandana bhushinivai ||
శ్రేష్ట ప్రదే సృష్టి ప్రియే శ్రేయస్కరే Sreshta prade Srushti priye Shreyas kare
అన్నపూర్ణే ప్రేమస్వరూపే సహనశీళే || Annapoorne premaswarope sahanasheele ||
మాతే మా జీవన వర దాతే Maate maa jeevana vara daate
మాతే అఖిల భువన సృష్టి గ్యాతే || Maate akhila bhuvana srushti gyate ||
O Mother, the giver of boons to the entire universe
O Mother, the guide of our life's path ||
O beautiful one, is it within my capability to describe you?
O embodiment of Lakshmi, is it my fortune to worship you? ||
Blessed by Narayana, beloved of Yoganand
Excellent speaker adorned with sandalwood paste ||
Bestower of excellence, lover of creation, provider of prosperity
O Annapoorna (giver of nourishment), embodiment of love, endowed with patience ||
O Mother, giver of our life's boon
O Mother, visualizing the creation of the entire universe ||
Workshops of Nartanaalaya
Dr. Sridhar Vasudevan
An accomplished Indian classical dancer and musician, Dr. Sridhar Vasudevan seamlessly balances both roles. He was trained in Bharatanatyam under the legendary Padma Vibhushan Guru Dr. Vyjayantimala Bali for over a decade and had his debut performance, Arangetram, under her guidance in 1996.
In addition to Bharatanatyam, he has also trained in Kathakali under Padmashri awardee Guru Sadanam Sh. Balakrishnan and in Chhau under Padmashri awardee Guru Sh. Shashadhar Acharya.
Dr. Vasudevan earned his Doctoral Degree in Karnatak Music from Delhi University under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Radha Venkatachalam in 2013. His artistic journey and research continue under the guidance of Guru Smt. Kamalini Nagarajan Dutt, an ex-Director of Doordarshan and an accomplished classical dancer.
Scholars and critics alike have praised Dr. Vasudevan's art and his ability to translate his research into his craft. One of his unique features is his ability to sing while performing Abhinaya, showcasing intense Abhinaya, striking footwork, and quintessential characterization.
HAMSINI Center
In 2003, Dr. Vasudevan founded the HAMSINI Center in Delhi, where he imparts training in Indian classical dance and music to passionate students both in India and abroad. His artistic accomplishments have taken him to various countries as a performer, scholar, educator, and art proponent. He has conducted numerous workshops, lecture demonstrations, and art discussions globally, and is a sought-after musician and composer for esteemed classical dancers. Over the past decade, he has delivered many workshops and lecture-demonstrations for SPIC MACAY.
Om Sri Bharata Kshetram School of Fine Arts
Surya Narayana Murthy holds academic achievements with a graduation in Vaishnavism, post-graduation in History and Dance, a Masters in Business Administration, and an M.Phil in History from renowned institutions such as Madras University, Karnataka University, Alagappa, Nalanda Universities, and Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts.
Internationally renowned as a virtuosic soloist artist, Surya Narayana Murthy has performed in countries across Europe, Asia, Russia, the USA, and Canada. He imparts his knowledge to both beginners and senior students, teaching them the fine nuances of Bharatanatyam at the Om Sri Bharata Kshetram School of Fine Arts.”
"Kalaimamani Sri J. Surya Narayana Murthy
One of the foremost classical dancers in Chennai, is a renowned exponent of Bharatanatyam in the Kalakshetra style. He was born into a family dedicated to Indian classical music and commenced his training under eminent gurus like Padmabhushan “The Dhananjayans.”
Surya Narayana Murthy is a performer, teacher, and choreographer, earning high respect in the Bharatanatyam dance world for over four decades. He holds a ‘Top’ grade artist status with Doordarshan and has carved a niche in teaching and performing the art of Bharatanatyam. Currently, he serves as a Bharatanatyam Faculty in Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts. He has conceptualized and choreographed over 200 Keerthanas, Thevaram, Thiruppugazh, and Thirupavai, along with 40 Hanuman Chalisa slokas, as well as theatrical dance dramas on MahaGanapathy, Andal, Valli Thirumanam, Sri Venkateswara Vaibhava, Seetharama Kalyanam, Iyappa Charitham, and Thirunavukarasu Charitham, which have been acclaimed for their fine display of visual geometry.
Surya Narayana Murthy is the recipient of the prestigious Tamil Nadu State Award “Kalaimamani.” He has also been honored with Kala Poorna, Yuva Kala Bharathi, Nrithya Kala Bharathi, Natya Kala Sironmani, and Isai Kalaimani, among other accolades.