Madurai R Muralidaran

🪔 About

Madurai R. Muralidaran is a highly acclaimed Indian classical dancer, composer, choreographer, writer, lyricist, playwright, and director, primarily known for his significant contributions to Bharatanatyam. He began his training in Bharatanatyam at the age of seven under Guru Kalaimamani Chamundeeswari, a senior disciple of Padmashree K.N. Dandayudapani Pillai. He further honed his musical skills by mastering mridangam and laya under Kalaimamani Sri Madurai Srinivasan (Chenna Kutti) and vocal music with his brother, Kalaimamani Sri Madurai Sethuraman. In 1978, Muralidaran took over and began running the Nrithyakshethra Dance Academy in Chennai, which was originally founded by his guru's mother, Smt. Samanthagamani Palaniandy. Under his leadership, the academy has mentored and trained over 2500 dancers worldwide, with Nrithyakshethra celebrating its silver and pearl jubilees and reaching 450 arangetrams. He is recognized for his prolific compositions, having released more than 120 audio albums exclusively for Bharatanatyam, which are widely used by dancers globally. His compositions are noted for their innovative rhythmic patterns (thalams), melodies (ragams), and themes, including full margams in all 35 Carnatic Sooladhi Saptha talams and over 120 varnams and jathiswarams in all 72 Melakarata Ragas. Critic Subbudu recognized him in 2001 for "ushering in a new era of composing varnams for the Bharatanatyam repertoire." Muralidaran is also celebrated for his elaborate dance musical productions based on Hindu mythology and Tamil literature, such as "Silapathigaram," "Yagnaseni," "Avadhara Purushan," "Yadhava Madhava," and "Karna." He has achieved multiple world records, including for the largest live Bharatanatyam dance lesson, composing 25 varnams in 25 days, and leading virtual dance performances with numerous participants. He serves on the board of Alagappa Arts and is a faculty member at Aria Arts, teaching nattuvangam. Awards & Honours: Kalaimamani Award (2019), Kala Seva Bharathi, Kartik Award of Excellence (2021), Mayura Nrithya Sagaram (2022), Natya Sadhanai Chemmal (2022), Kalai Chemmal (2022), Lifetime Achievement Award (2022), Lifetime Achievement Award (2023), Natya Achaarya Choodamani (2023), Nrithyaswaroopi (2003), Bharatha Kala Thapasvi, Natya Perarasu, Natya Siromani, Parambara Noothana, Muthirai Pathitha Vithagar.