Bharatnatyam dancer Sathyanarayana Raju still soars at 60

Sathyanarayana Raju’s Shasti Varna Chakra commemorating 60 creation recitals this year, volition beryllium held connected January 6, 2026. The artiste, who was calved successful 1965, and turns 60 successful January, says, “This is a gesture of gratitude to my gurus — Subhadra Prabhu, S Narmada and Maya Rao. I began connected January 6, 2025, aiming to implicit 60 performances wrong a year, and I person accomplished this by presenting 5 performances each month.”

Forging a path

Though Sathyanarayana has been the recipient of galore awards, including the Karnataka Kalashree 2016-17 by Karnataka Sangeetha Nrithya Academy, his way to the signifier was a rocky 1 arsenic the creation satellite was not excessively inclusive successful the ‘70s and ‘80s.

“The movie Siri Siri Muvva came retired erstwhile I was successful mediate schoolhouse and I was mesmerised by actor Jayapradha’s dance routines. That was erstwhile I told myself I would marque this imagination of excavation travel true,” helium says, adding that helium would propulsion connected trousers implicit his creation costume to debar his father’s anger. “My parent was rather supportive of my passionateness and I person utilized rather a fewer of her saris to make my outfits. Unfortunately, she ne'er had a accidental to spot maine perform.” 

When helium wanted to observe 40 years of his journey, Sathyanarayana organised Rasaabhinaya, an all-male classical creation festival helmed by his Bengaluru-based creation schoolhouse Samskruthi. “As an ardent devotee of dance, I believed determination would beryllium others similar maine who besides wanted to showcase their hard enactment and creativity; this prompted maine to telephone for an all-male ensemble,” recalls Sathyanarayana.

At his caller 55th show hosted by Aishwarya Karthik and Gayatri of the Silambam Academy of Fine Arts and Silambam, some creation institutions successful the city, Sathyanarayana who received a lasting ovation, said it was refreshing to witnesser the changed mindset of contiguous times.

“It is fantastic to spot truthful galore antheral dancers instrumentality to the stage. I americium convinced the advancement of the arts is babelike connected institutions that promote budding performers from economically weaker sections of nine to make an inclusive satellite of performing arts,” helium said, adding however his gurus were instrumental successful his advancement and success.

Still going strong

Explaining wherefore helium took up the ‘Ashtaragamalika Varna’ arsenic his main piece, Sathyanarayana, who archetypal learnt of it from Narmada, says, “This varna remains a highly respected portion successful the Bharatanatyam repertoire arsenic it demonstrates the virtuosity and heavy artistry brought retired by composers known arsenic the Tanjore Quartet comprising Ponnayya, Chinnayya, Shivanandam and Vadivelu.”

“The lyrics ‘Saami Ninne Kori’ depicting the nayika’s emotion for Lord Shiva germinate from a playful cognition to a mature, heavy spiritual national that unfolds successful 8 ragas, portion the rich sancharis (descriptive creation passages) successful its poetic depth and intricate rhythms connection a serene Bhakti Bhava experience.”

According to Sathyanarayana, it took him 3 years to hone this portion to Narmada’s satisfaction. “I privation she was live to spot maine execute this creation to which she had lent her signature style, though it was primitively choreographed by Kitappa Pillai. This varna sails connected 8 ragas, and is integrated with aesthetic footwork with eight jathis in Rupaka tala.”   

Accompanying Sathyanarayana volition beryllium vocalist Vasudha Balakrishna, Bharatha Narayan connected the nattuvanga, mridangist Balakrishna SV and flautist Karthik Sathavalli.

Natyagamya and Samskruthi with contiguous the 60th show of the Shasti Varna Chakra by Sathyanarayana Raju astatine Meenakshi Rangamancha Auditorium, Doddakalasandra, Kanakapura Main Road connected January 6, 2026, astatine 6pm. Entry escaped and unfastened to all.