Kerala has always had its own musical voice – distinct ragas, intricate taalas, and a way of rendering music that you won’t find anywhere else. Yet somehow, this beautiful tradition has remained largely unknown, even to many classical music lovers. That’s exactly what we want to change.
The Guruvayur Fest focuses on something quite special – bringing Kerala’s unique musical heritage into Mohiniyattam. While other classical dance forms have centuries of established repertoire, Mohiniyattam is still growing, still finding new ways to express itself. We see this as an opportunity.
What happens when you take the melodic rhythms that have been part of Ottan Thullal for generations and weave them into a Mohiniyattam performance? How does a dancer interpret the subtle nuances of Kerala’s traditional ragas? These are creative challenges that our artists tackle on stage.
Over the course of three days in Guruvayoor, masters and newcomers alike will demonstrate their answers. Some performances will surprise you, others will feel deeply familiar. All of them will show you sides of Mohiniyattam you probably haven’t seen before.
This is about preserving tradition and keeping it alive by letting it grow.
About Natyaveda Centre for Performing Arts
Natyaveda has been a cultural presence in Kerala for the past 25 years, promoting and propagating Indian Art and Culture while making effective cultural interventions. What began as small gatherings of artists and art lovers in the year 2000 has now evolved into a broad platform for artists of any genre.
The organization is registered under the Charitable Societies Act (Reg No. 1494/04) and affiliated to the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi. Our academic initiative, ‘Natyaveda College of Performing Arts’, is affiliated to Indira Kala Sangit Vishwa Vidyalaya (Khairagarh University), Chhattisgarh – the first university in India exclusively dedicated to Performing Arts.
Since inception, Natyaveda has been imparting training in Classical Art forms, conducting workshop, seminars and cultural festivals based on different aspects of Indian Art and Culture. We serve as the ideal meeting place for artists to share their ideas, views and creations.
Our Mission:
To explore the legacy of Indian civilization and reach out to the underprivileged to evoke their creative predisposition and elevate it to a sublime culture, creating a solid and discernible impact in society.
Our Vision:
“Arts for a Better World”
Festival Overview
The Guruvayur Fest is envisioned as a destination festival in Kerala, addressing the void of a cultural festival of this stature. Guruvayoor has been chosen as the destination, taking into account its cultural relevance and the expectation of attracting a more erudite audience.
Objective
Mohiniyattam as a classical dance form is much younger compared to its prevailing counterparts. Natyaveda’s objective is to disseminate this art form to a wider audience while simultaneously enriching it by developing its repertoire and styles.
Theme
Kerala Sangeetham Applied to Mohiniyattam: Kerala possesses a rich musical system comprising a wide range of Taalas (rhythmic patterns), ragas, and a unique style of rendering many ragas prevalent in Carnatic Music. These musical styles are applied in some rituals and traditional art forms like Ottan Thullal, but as a performing art, they remain alien to the common public.
We believe that applying these musical styles will help Mohiniyattam develop its character and range more authentically as a classical dance form of Kerala.
Program Structure
In designing the program for the festival, we leave no stone unturned in covering every aspect of Mohiniyattam as a classical dance form.
Workshop
Throughout all three days of the festival, workshop will be conducted based on “Kerala Sangeetham and its Application in Mohiniyattam”. Prominent Gurus like Kalamandalam Sugandhi, Sadanam Harikumar, Manoj Kuroor and Kalamandalam Sivan Namboodiri will lead these workshop and lecture demonstrations each day, covering different aspects of the subject.
Performances
Two performances will be presented each day, classified as:
- Promising Artist Program: The first program features emerging talent who can present solo items. One item must be based on Kerala music, and one Ashtapathi is mandatory.
- Main Program: The second program features an invited artist who is renowned and well-established in the field of Mohiniyattam.
NATYAVEDA PURASKARAM
Natyaveda Centre for Performing Arts has established a prestigious national award recognizing outstanding contributions to Art and Culture- the Natyaveda Puraskaram. It is constituted to commemorate the completion of 25 years of service.
This honor is bestowed annually upon an individual who has demonstrated exemplary talent, creativity, and dedication to exalt the greatness and relevance of their practiced art form – whether through groundbreaking artistic achievements, innovative cultural initiatives, or transformative contributions to their respective fields.
The recipient of Natyaveda Puraskaram embodies the highest standards of excellence and serves as a role model for aspiring artists and cultural enthusiasts worldwide.
Award Details:
- Dakshina: Rs. 1,00,001/-
- Specially designed memento
- Presented during the Guruvayur Fest ceremony
2025 Recipient: Padma Vibhushan Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam
Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam is a globally revered Bharatanatyam exponent, scholar, researcher, choreographer, and cultural ambassador of India. Renowned for her pioneering work in reviving the Karanas – the dance movements inscribed in ancient temple sculptures – she has bridged the worlds of performance and scholarship, redefining the very grammar of Bharatanatyam through rigorous research and creative interpretation.
Her numerous accolades include the Padmashri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Akademi Ratna (Fellow) and several national and international honors. A visionary who has lived and breathed dance as a spiritual, intellectual, and cultural pursuit, Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam’s life is a testament to the timeless beauty and relevance of Indian classical arts.
Festival Leadership
Chief Patron: Shri. Chennas Dinesan Namboothiripad (Tantri, Guruvayoor Temple)
Organizing Committee:
- Patron: N. K. Akbar (Hon. MLA, Guruvayoor)
- Chairman: M. Krishnadas (Chairman, Guruvayoor Municipality)
- Co-Chairman: K.P. Udayan (Opp. Leader, Guruvayoor Municipality)
Festival Directorate:
- Chairman: Surendran Kannatt (Kannat Group, Hyderabad)
- Co-Chairman: P. Padmakumar (Coimbatore)
- President: K. Vijayachandran (Natyaveda)
Festival Direction:
- Festival Director: Dr. Kalamandalam Sugandhi
- Festival Curator: Vinod Mankara
Workshop Faculty
Dr. Kalamandalam Sugandhi – An acclaimed Indian Mohiniyattam dancer, choreographer and teacher with over five decades of experience. She has trained under renowned gurus like Kalamandalam Satyabhama, Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Kalamandalam Chandrika, A.B.R. Bhaskar and Dr. Padma Subrahmaniam. Her research on ancient texts led her to develop a nomenclature for Mohiniyattam study and add karanas like Gajakreeditham, Thalapushpautam and Bhujangathraastitham to Mohiniyattam’s vocabulary.
Additional Faculty:
Sadanam Harikumar – A multifaceted artist known for contributions to Kathakali, music, painting and sculpture. A Carnatic musician graded by All India Radio and disciple of the late Prof. C.S. Krishna Iyer, he has released albums featuring Sopana Sangeetham and founded “Satwikam” to promote Kathakali.
Manoj Kuroor – A Malayalam poet and lyricist, son of chenda exponent Kuroor Cheriya Vasudevan Namboothiri. He has been playing chenda for Kathakali since 1989 and was awarded a doctorate for research on folk rhythms in modern Malayalam poetry.
Kalamandalam Sivan Namboodiri – An accomplished Kutiyattam performer and teacher at Kerala Kalamandalam. He is the first person outside the Chakiar community to learn Kutiyattam and has made significant contributions to Nangiarkoothu as well.
Festival Curator:
Vinod Mankara – A creative personality with multiple talents spanning journalism, literature, and filmmaking. With 10 books and over 10,000 articles to his credit, he has won 8 state awards and 2 National awards for filmmaking. His 688+ documentaries include 5 on Mohiniyattam and 6 on Kathakali. The University of Cambridge has archived 5 films on Indian Arts and Culture scripted and directed by him.
Artist Lineup
August 14, 2025
- 5:30 PM:
Malavika Menon – A prominent Mohiniyattam artiste trained under Guru Vinitha Nedungadi for over two decades. Recipient of Senior Scholarship from Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, Ministry of Culture.
- 7:00 PM:
Dr. Neena Prasad – Proficient in multiple dance forms and leading disciple of Kalamandalam Sugandhi. Awarded Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2022 and recently honored by Madras Music Academy with their first-ever award for Mohiniyattam.
August 15, 2025
- 5:30 PM:
Gayathri Madhusudan – With 30 years of experience and over 600 performances, she has enriched Mohiniyattam through diverse themes and unique contributions. Trained under Dr. N.K Geetha, Kalamandalam Saraswati, Dr. Bharathi Sivaji and Dr. Kalamandalam Sugandhi.
- 7:00 PM:
Dr. Sunanda Nair – A distinguished global exponent with four decades of dedication. First student to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mohiniyattam from University of Mumbai. Founder of SPARC Mumbai and USA, she has performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and Bolshoi Theatre.
August 16, 2025
- 5:30 PM:
Sandra Pisharody – A young artist from Irinjalakuda, senior disciple of Guru Nirmala Paniker. Recipient of Government of India scholarship and performer at major international stages including Tokyo and Brisbane.
- 7:00 PM:
Gopika Varma – One of the leading Mohiniyattam artists of her generation, trained under Smt. Kalyani Kutty Amma and her daughter Sreedevi Rajan. Recipient of multiple awards including Kalaimammani Award and runs Dasyam Mohiniyattam Dance School in Chennai.
Natyaveda College
Affiliated to Khairagarh University
Degree Programs:
- B.P.A. Bharathanatyam
- B.P.A. Carnatic Music
- B.P.A. Hindustani Music
Diploma Courses:
- Bharathanatyam
- Kathak
- Carnatic Vocal
- Hindustani Vocal
- Geethanjali (Hindustani light music)
- Tabla
- Sitar
- Yoga
Short-term Courses:
Dance:
- Bharathanatyam
- Mohiniyattam
- Kuchippudi
- Kathak
Music:
- Carnatic Vocal
- Hindustani Vocal
- Violin (Carnatic)
- Veena (Carnatic)
- Sitar (Hindustani)
- Santoor (Hindustani)
- Tabla (Hindustani)
- Chenda Mrdangam (Carnatic)
- Keyboard (Western)
- Guitar (Western)
- Drums
Leadership Team:
- K Vijayachandran – President, Natyaveda Centre
- Sundar Melayil – Secretary, Natyaveda Centre
- Kalamandalam Sony – Treasurer, Natyaveda Centre and Director, Natyaveda College
- Abhradita Banerjee – Principal, Natyaveda College