Online Dance Workshop

Mohiniyattam & Bharatanatyam Workshops

Learn a classical dance based on a rare Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Keerthanam
from

Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee

Kalaimamani Smt. Gopika Varma

Mohiniyattam
Dates   - 15th, 16th, and 22nd July 2023 - three hours on all three days
Review - Saturday, August 5th 2023
Time    -  09:30 AM EST / 6:30 AM PST / 2:30 PM BST  

Bharatanatyam
Dates   - 23rd, 29th, and 30th July 2023 - three hours on all three days
Review - Saturday, August 6th 2023
Time    - 09:30 AM EST / 6:30 AM PST / 2:30 PM BST

Workshop Highlights

  • Participants will receive video recording of the 3 day interactive session
  • Participants will receive  High quality audio recording of the composition.
  • Participants will receive literature
  • Learning materials will be handed over prior to the workshop

Eligibility

  • 10 years and above.
  • Candidates with basic knowledge of any Indian classical dance form may apply.
  • Candidate from USA, Canada, UK or Europe can apply.

 Workshop fees & payment options:

  • Registrations will be accepted on first come first served basis.
  • The fees for each workshop is $200 per participant.
  • Workshop payments could be made using one of the following methods:
    1. Online using the links /portal provided on our website. Online providers charge a service fee of 3 percent, which is included ($206.00)
    2. By Zelle using swathithirunalfestival@gmail.com to US BANK
  • Cancellations will be accepted 5 days (10th July 2023) before the workshop after which registration fees are not refundable.
  • Last date to receive registrations and workshop fees is 12th July 2023

Registration is now open for both the dance workshops.  Please follow the steps on the right section of this page. 

1.  Complete the form
2.  Pay your registration fees.

Any questions regarding the workshop, please write to swathithirunalfestial@gmail.com

Born and raised in Thiruvananthapuram, Smt. Gopika Varma migrated to Chennai from Kerala in 1995. She started learning dance at the age of three, from her mother. At the age of 10, Smt. Gopika started learning Mohiniyattam from Smt. Girija and Smt. Chandrika Kurup and later she received specialized training from Kalyanikutty Amma and her daughter, Smt. Sreedevi Rajan. Smt. Gopika learned the Abhinaya (acting) part of Mohiniyattam from Kathakali exponent Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair. She also studied Bharathanatyam under Vazhiyur Ramayyar Pillai, for 18 years.


Although her guru was Kalyanikutty Amma, Smt.Gopika Varma follows her own style in Mohiniyattam. She has also performed Mohiniyattam in Sopana style under Kavalam Narayana Panicker. Smt. Gopika has performed extensively at various art festivals, sabhas and temples all over India and she has won laurels from abroad when ICCR chose her to represent India. Her Mohiniyattam is marked by extreme grace and fluidity of movement, transmitting radiance through movements and expressions that at times sigh with nostalgia, purity and sanctity, while being blessed with geometrical precision and technical finesse. Smt. Gopika is very lively in her Nritta-Nrithya elements of Mohiniyattam, and her eyes are very eloquent in communicating the message of abhinaya. Presently, Gopika is running a Mohiniyattam school named “Dasyam” at Adyar, Chennai.

  • Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2018
  • Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award 2008
  • Kalaimamani 2004, She is the first dancer to receive Kalaimamani for Mohiniyattam.
  • Nritya Choodamani Award 2010 from Krishna Gana Sabha
  • Abhinaya Kala Ratna Excellence Award
  • Sathya Abhinaya Sundaram 2007
  • Kaladarpanam Award 2003
  • Yuva Kala Bharathi award by Bharat Kalachar 2001. She is the first Mohiniyattam dancer to receive this award.
  • Outstanding Performance Award by the House of Commons – London 2003
  • Satya Abinaya Sundaram
  • Natya Kala Vipanchee
  • Rajakeeya Puraskaram

Online registration and payment

  1. Complete the registration form - click here -
  2. Pay Registration Fees
Option 1
Option 2