Regatta - Fifty golden years of Guru Girija Chandran

🪔 About

Guru Girija Chandran, born on May 26, 1951, in Kuzhithurai, Tamil Nadu, is a distinguished Indian classical dance guru, choreographer, and author, primarily recognized for her profound contributions to Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, and Kuchipudi. Raised in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, she began her dance training at the age of four. Her initial Bharatanatyam training was under Kalakshetra Bhaskar (in the Guru Gopinath style) and Sucheendram M.M. Pillai. She later received advanced tutelage in Bharatanatyam from the eminent Guru Adyar K. Lakshman until 1986. Her comprehensive training also included Kuchipudi under the legendary Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam, Kathakali under Nelliyod Vasudevan Namboodiri, and group choreography under Saraswathi Malhotra. While initially interested in Bharatanatyam, she developed a deep passion for Mohiniyattam, learning from Kalamandalam Beena, Kalamandalam Anila, and later attending workshops by Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma and collaborating extensively with Kalamandalam Lakshmikutty. Girija Chandran embarked on her teaching career at the young age of 15, choosing to focus on teaching rather than performing professionally on stage. In 1972, her father, R. Sivasankara Pillai, a Sanskrit and Tamil scholar, started the Regatta Cultural Society with the aim of empowering women. Under her dedicated stewardship, this society evolved into the renowned Regatta Natya Sangeetha Kendra (also known as Regatta Natya Sangeetha Vidyalaya), becoming a premier center for classical dance and music in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. She is credited with introducing Kuchipudi to Kerala before 1985. Over her 55-year teaching career, she has trained nearly one lakh (100,000) students, with over 800 currently enrolled across multiple branches in Thiruvananthapuram. Girija Chandran has choreographed more than 200 dance productions, including notable works like 'Parayipetta Panthirukulam' and 'Panchamahabhootas'. She is also the author of 'Bharatanatya Chinthamani' and a Malayalam translation of 'Abhinaya Darpanam'. Her daughter, Madhavi Chandran, is an accomplished Mohiniyattam dancer and collaborates with her in developing distinctive performance styles. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2025), Best Choreography Award (2000), Natya Praveen (1978), Nritha Bindushi (2012), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award (2011).