Neighbourhood classical dancers were part of world record

| S VENKATESHWARAN |

Several Bharatanatyam dance academies from Nanganallur, Madipakkam and nearby areas actively participated in the ‘Ulagam Muzhuthum Bharatham 2025’ programme held in Chennai to create a world record.

As the event details were already published by Nanganallur Speaks last weekend, this article highlights the participation of the neighbourhood academies and their contribution to this global achievement.

From Nanganallur, Sri Thiruchitrambalam Natyalaya, led by guru Dr. Chitra Venkataramanan, participated with 51 students, and guru Smt. Dr. Nithyakalyani’s Rasa Arpita Natyalaya also took part with dedicated performers.

From Madipakkam, Nattuvanga Kalaimani Madurai S. Gayathri’s Annai Natyalaya participated, along with Kalpa Vruksha Art Academy, Mylapore, led by guru Smt. Mylai Ramya Prakash.

Other academies that took part included Mayura Kalalaya Natana Palli, Sri Vishnu Natyalaya and Sri Selvarani Natyalaya from Kizhkattalai; Saranya Nrithya Vidyalaya, Velachery; Sri Nrithyalaya School of Arts Academy, Pallikaranai; Padmanjali Kalai Koodam, Pallavaram; Sai Kala Mandir, Sathir Natyalayam, Sri Vidya Mandir Natya Kala Kendra and Sri Sai Vidyalaya Natyalaya from Tambaram; Natana Loka Fine Arts Academy, Sembakkam; and Bharatha Natyalaya, Manapakkam.

In this programme, over 2,600 Bharatanatyam dancers from India and abroad performed together. Nearly 1,000 dancers participated in person, while about 1,600 dancers joined online, following the successful hybrid format used in earlier record attempts. The performance was recognised under the VIRTUE World Records, with record officials also present in connection with the Limca Book of Records.

Teachers and students from all these academies shared that the experience was memorable and felt proud to represent Chennai and their neighbourhoods on a global platform, once again highlighting the city’s strong and vibrant classical dance culture.