About Guru Kalyanasundaram
Hailing from a family of Nattuvanar parampara, traditional dance teachers, now in its eighth generation — Thiruvidaimarudur Kuppiah Kalyanasundaram made his debut at the age of six at the Sri Kumbeswaran Temple (of Maha Maham fame) Kumbakonam - Tamil Nadu, on the auspicious day of Aarudhra Darsanam.
He imbibed the art from his father Guru Kuppiah Pillai, his brother Guru Mahalingam Pillai, his brother-in-law Guru Govindraj Pillai and sister Smt. Karunambal. He learnt Carnatic music from Vidwan Alathur Panchapakesa Iyer and mridangam from Vidwan Raghunatha Iyer.
His ancestors were honoured in the royal courts of Baroda, Mysore, Ramanathapuram and Thanjavur, then princely states. Most distinguished among them were Vidwan Venkatakrishna Nattuvanar, the Asthana Vidwan of King Serfoji, and his grandfather Vidwan Panchapakesa Nattuvanar, an authority on Abhinaya and author of Abhinaya Navaneetham in Tamil, based on the Abhinaya Darpana.
His dance dramas Thirukkutrala Kuravanji (Vasantavalli), Sri Andal, Skanda Leela, Krishna Leela, Charana Paduka, Thyagabrahmanjali, and dance productions Purandara Vandana, Jaya Jaya Krishna, Pancha Kanya, Jaya Jaya Shankara, Bhakthi Nritya, are well received for their rich tapestry of choreography, music and literature.
He was the leader of a 10-member dance troupe representing India at the International Arts Festival of China. He had presented thematic programmes at the Manifestations of Shiva - World Meet, Philadelphia and also at other International dance festivals in Australia, America, Canada, Europe, Indonesia, Colombia, Mexico, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore & Nepal.
Exclusive compositions of Mahakavi Bharathi (presented at Bharathi’s Centenary at his birthplace Ettayapuram in 1981) and Saint Purandaradasa (presented on his 500th birth anniversary at Delhi in 1984) are notable among the presentations of other composers. In 1986, he choreographed along with eminent gurus Pt. Birju Maharaj, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam, of the other classical dance forms, a widely acclaimed presentation "National Integration through Dance".
Guru Kalyanasundaram’s students have featured at prestigious dance conferences and festivals in India and abroad. In 1989, he led a 10-member dance troupe to participate in the First International Arts Festival of China and presented a programme at Singapore to celebrate the centenary of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
His acclaimed offerings include "Mahatmanjali" (a unique production based on the noble ideals of Mahatma Gandhi), "Nandanar" (a moving dance drama of the great devotee of Lord Nataraja presented at Los Angeles), and "Isai Vani Nrityanjali" (centenary tribute to Bharat Ratna M. S. Subbulakshmi performed by one hundred dancers), all receiving boundless admiration. He continues to enthral audiences with his productions and unique choreographies.
Awards & Titles Conferred
For his outstanding contribution to the art of Bharathanatyam, some of the prestigious awards and titles conferred upon him include:
Full Length Programmes & Dance Dramas
Full Length Programmes of Exclusive Compositions of Great Poets:
Adi Sankaracharya, Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi, Saint Purandara Dasa, Saint Thyagaraja, Sri Papanasam Sivan, and Sangeetha Kalanidhi G. N. Balasubramaniam.
1) Vasanthavalli – Thirikuttrala Kuravanji
Based on the 17th century Tamil Classic (Artistes: Vani, Meera, Preethi & 16 artistes).
2) Sri Andal
Based on the immortal Thiruppavai (Artistes: Viji Prakash, Asha Amarnath & 12 artistes).
3) Skanda Leela
Portraying the various divine deeds of Lord Karthikeya (Artistes: Vani, Meera, Monisha Patil & 10 artistes).
4) Krishna Leela
Based on the divine lyrics of Saint Poets (Artistes: Lata, Preeti, Gowri, Padmaja, Manisha & 10 artistes).
5) Charana Paduka
Based on Tulsidas Ramayan, Music by Sangeet Martand Pt. Jasraj (Artistes: Amla, Manisha, and others).
6) Thyagabrahmanjali
Based on the glorious kritis of the great Saint Thyagaraja.
7) Nandanar Charitram
Based on the musical opera of poet Sri Gopalakrishna Bharathi (Artistes: Viji Prakash, Harikrishna Kalyanasundaram, Mythili Prakash and 15 other artists).
Thematic Presentations
Om Saravana Bhava
Based on devotional compositions of ancient Tamil poets Nakkeeran, Arunagirinathar, Bharathi & Thyagaraja on Lord Karthikeya. (Solo by Preeti)
Jaya Jaya Sankara (Solo)
Based on compositions of various poets on Adi Sankaracharya & important works of Adi Sankara. (Solo by Sunitha Pillai)
Thyagabrahmam
Based on exclusive compositions of Saint Thyagaraja. (Solo by Gowri)
Jaya Jaya Sankara (Group)
A group presentation based on the divine works of Adi Sankaracharya.
Jaya Jaya Krishna
Based on the great works of the Saint Poets of India. (Solo by Lata Pada)
Pancha Kanya
Based on the immortal episodes of epic heroines: Ahalya, Draupadi, Sita, Tara & Mandodari. (Solo by Vani Ganapathy)
Shakti
A group presentation glorifying the great powers of Goddess Parashakthi in her various manifestations.
Bhakthi Nritya
A group presentation based on classics of Saint Poets: Adi Sankara, Kalidasa, Thiruvalluvar, Tulsidas, Sant Tukaram, Meerabai & others.
Excerpts from the International Press
The Aristocrat of Indian Dance
"Versatility marks the well-known Indian Bharatha Natyam choreographer Kalyanasundaram from other dance gurus and choreographers..."
The Globe and Mail
"India's Guru Kalyanasundaram is his country's Balanchine. Although the distinguished Indian choreographer hails from the East and Balanchine from the West, their motivation is the same: breathing new life into a centuries-old art form. Guru Kalyanasundaram has taken Bharata Natyam... and updated it without breaking down its traditional form. He has enlarged the iconographic vocabulary with colorful, dramatic detail that lends this ancient dance style a heightened sense of narrative flow..."
Express India
"His Nattuvangam and his choreography were brilliant. He has imaginatively blended dance forms and musical systems... Guru K. Kalyanasundaram, suave, articulate and urbane is also a fine example of the Guru-Sishya parampara..."
India Currents
"Upholding the tradition of Thanjavur: With Guru Kalyanasundaram's imaginative choreography and direction, this concert promises to be a rewarding experience for all lovers of Indian dance..."
News India
"Teaching Through Live Instruction And Direct Experience: In Guru Kalyanasundaram Pillai's approach to teaching dance, is embedded an ancient institution of transmission of knowledge... He notes that 'Art cannot be measured in graphic movements or guiding the feet. It must have its own life...'"
Traditional Dance Compositions & Poets in Various Languages
Traditional compositions of Natyacharyas and sacred works composed by renowned saint poets and masters: