Guruji Acharya Parvatikumar

Acharya Parvatikumar is renowned for his contribution to dance. He has been deeply involved in the field for over 60 years. He has studied Kathak, Kathakali, and Bharata Natyam under some of the most respected masters. His grounding in these classical forms has been most thorough.

Between the years 1947 to 1965, he choreographed over twenty dance dramas. Rhythm of Culture, Dekh Teri Bambai, Discovery of India, and Krishna Leela, were among the most popular and critically acclaimed. His interest in children’s performance also led him to choreograph dance dramas such as Panchatantra, Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, Billi Mausi ki Fajiyat, Apna Hath Jagannath, and Durga Zali Gauri. He has choreographed sequences for several films including Rajkamal’s Kaale Gore in Hindi and the Telugu, Sudi Gundalu, also include his compositions for children. His work in film, although a commercial success, still left him with a desire to probe deeper into the essence of classical dance. He then made a decision to focus on the study of Bharata Natyam.

He founded Tanjavur Nrityashala (literally, School of Tanjore-style dance), in 1968 and began to train students in the classical art. His style of teaching was unique in that the depth of his theoretical research in Bharata Natyam was reflected in its practice.

Over a period of years he applied himself to an in-depth study of the Marathi Nirupanas (complete repertoires) composed by Sarfoji Maharaj Bhonsle, the ruler of Tanjavur in the early 1800’s. These compositions had been published by T.M.S.S. Library. These years of research resulted in the publication of his Tanjavur Nritya Prabandha by the Maharashtra Sahitya and Sanskriti Mandal. These nirupanas, or repertoires, which he researched were also choreographed by him into dance form and presented on stage in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, and several other Indian cities.

For his contribution to Indian dance, Acharya Parvatikumar has been honored with several awards including accolades from the Government of Maharashtra, the F.I.E. Foundation, the Sangeet Natak Academy, the Sahaitya Sangh Mandir, Bombay Sursingar Samsad, and Little Ballet Troupe. He is a Sangeet Natak Academy award recipient as well as the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar.

Acharya Parvatikumar lives in Mumbai with his wife, Sumati, a teacher and scholar of dance.


Pandit V J Pillai

Pandit Venugopal J Pillai hails from a family of artist-musicians and is the grandson of a senior dancer in the court of the royal family of Tanjavur. His late father, Janardhan Pillai, an accomplished violinist and composer along with his uncle, Guru Chandrashekhar Pillai were among his first teachers in music. At his uncle’s suggestion, Venugopal approached Acharya Parvatikumar for instruction in Bharata Natyam.

During his studies with Acharya Parvatikumar, Venugopal Pillai participated in many dance dramas including Discovery of India, presented by the Indian National Theater and based on Jawaharlal’s Nehru’s book of the same name.

Over the years, Pandit V J Pillai has trained numerous dancers and teachers who are now teaching and performing worldwide. He has researched and choreographed several unique works including the Nava Sandhi Kauthukam, a reconstruction piece reminiscent of the temple tradition of Bharata Natyam.

In 2006, Pandit V J Pillai visited the United States on a three-month long performing and teaching tour. During this tour he conducted workshops, master classes, and provided nattuvangam for several performances.

He has been honored by several organizations including the title of Pandit, or scholar, by the State of Maharashtra. Along with his wife, Jayashree, an accomplished dancer teacher and choreographer, he conducts classes through their dance institution, Tanjavur Nrityashala.