The Dance Forms

Five traditions, taught in their purest form

South India's classical dances — and Kerala's very own Mohiniyattam, Kathakali and Kerala Natanam — all find a home at VSB Kalakshetra.

The classical foundation

Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam is among the oldest classical dance traditions of India, born in the temples of Tamil Nadu. Its language is precise geometry — the grounded araimandi stance, crisp nritta footwork and hand gestures (mudras) that speak where words cannot.

At VSB Kalakshetra, Bharatanatyam is taught in its full depth: adavus, alarippu, jatiswaram, varnams and padams, along with the abhinaya (expression) that turns technique into storytelling. Sri Janardhanan has composed around 30 Abhinaya Varnams, Tillanas, Padams and Jatiswarams for this form.

Kerala's own — the dance of the enchantress

Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam is Kerala's gift to classical dance — a lasya style of gentle, swaying movements once described as the dance of the enchantress. Dressed in off-white kasavu with gold borders, the dancer embodies grace, lyricism and quiet devotion.

Sri Janardhanan's contribution to Mohiniyattam is extraordinary: more than 50 Varnams and around 20 Padams composed for the form, work honoured with the Swathi Thirunal Award in 1990. Students at the Kalakshetra learn this most feminine of dances directly from his repertoire.

Kerala's own — the grand story-play

Kathakali

Kathakali is Kerala's majestic dance-drama, where actors become gods, heroes and demons through resplendent green pacha makeup, towering crowns, and eyes trained to speak entire epics. Every gesture is codified; every performance is a night-long feast of story, drum and song.

Sri Janardhanan studied Kathakali under masters including Sri V. N. Nair, Sri Balakrishna Kurup, Kalamandalam Venkittaraman, Kalamandalam Krishnakumar and Vengoor Ramakrishna — and even won first prize at the State School Youth Festival for his portrayal of Parasurama. His Kathakali Padam 'Panduvijayam' continues this living tradition.

Vibrant storytelling of Andhra

Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh weaves song, speech and dance into one vibrant flow. Quicksilver footwork, expressive abhinaya and showpieces danced on the rim of a brass plate make it among the most exhilarating classical forms to watch — and to learn.

Students at VSB Kalakshetra train in Kuchipudi under repertoire enriched by more than 25 Tarangams, Padams and Jatiswarams composed by Sri Janardhanan, learned under the guidance of gurus Smt. Shobha Sundaram and Smt. Anuradha Rao of Chennai.

A classical style born of Kerala

Kerala Natanam

Kerala Natanam distils the essence of Kathakali and Kerala's performing traditions into a classical style accessible to every stage and every student. It brings the great epics — and their unforgettable characters — to school halls, temples and festivals alike.

Sri Janardhanan has created more than 45 Kerala Natanam items, depicting Kannaki, Soorpanakha, Sita, Mandodari, Urmila and Parvathi, along with folk-dance songs and light songs loved at school arts festivals across Kerala.

Which form calls to you?

Students of every age are welcome — from first adavu to arangetram. Visit us in Thrissur or call to begin your journey.

Visit us Call 96332 53552