Vanakkam everyone. Mudhrai, the Natyam Space is a new addition in the already serene landscape of the Dharmashala, Himachal Pradesh. Under the foothills of the Dhauladhar, residence of Lord Shiva, the authority of dance, we have had the honour to set up our humble studio for learning, practicing and growing in the field of Bharatnatyam.
Who is Mudhrai for?
Mudhrai, a contemporary space, working with traditional knowledge system, has a three pronged target audience: Aspiring artists, seekers of wellness and the audience, to enable the art to stay relevant in the current socio-political and cultural context.
ASPIRING ARTISTS: Mudhrai offers multiple courses that are both online and in-studio for adults and children. The course is designed quite comprehensively to include theory, mythology, techniques mentioned in Natyashastra and other relevant texts, the philosophical intricacies in the art, along with practically learning the skill. The body is the instrument of a dancer and we focus on learning to be aware of the body and condition it.
SEEKERS OF WELLNESS: Bharatnatyam, apart from being an aesthetic dance form, with immense philosophical leanings, is also a holistic wellness routine. A regular practice of Bharatnatyam can hugely impact your physical, mental and emotional well-being. At the physical level, works on your strength, endurance, posture, balance and coordination. Mentally, you become more aware, sharp, focussed and organised. Emotionally, you grow calm and balanced. We curate classes specifically to work on your wellness and why not, try something exciting? As someone who has been in this practice for quite long, one thing can be certainly stated: Bharatnatyam, shall be your wellness journey that starts with aesthetics and lead you to your spiritual journey, with consistency.
AUDIENCE: A performing art thrives with audience, and an art form with as much depth as Bharatnatyam is now facing a dwindling audience base. This is mainly because of two reasons: (i) lack of awareness of the grammar and the language of this art among the audience (ii) lack of relevance of what is being performed to the current social-political context (things are changing with many artists revolutionising the field already). Through our research and efforts, we shall be working on both. Our projects, performances and discussions shall work on the second issue, whereas, we have a separate vertical to help audience understand and digest this immense dance form. Our social media handles will work to bring Bharatnatyam closer to its audience. For what is art without audience? What are humans without art?
What Mudhrai offers?
We have courses curated for different needs: getting into the art, finding a wellness routine and learning storytelling through this art. We also have short term courses and long term courses, both online and in-studio at Dharamshala. Our classes come with techniques to condition your body and learning to be aware of it.
We also have curated workshops for corporates, schools and colleges that shall help with employee/student wellness. Follow us on our social media handles for details about upcoming performances, workshops and collaborations.
Time to jump into the ocean of art
For the inner child in you, gift this experience of learning Bharatnatyam. You are never too old and space is no more a constraint with the advent of technology. Let us use it for the better good of us, the world and the child within us.
