Shri. Natyarathnam Manoj

🪔 About

Shri. Natyarathnam Manoj, whose full name is Manoj Manikkoth, is a prominent figure in Indian classical dance, known as a performer, choreographer, and teacher. Born in 1968 in Kannur, Kerala, India, he began his classical dance training at the age of 8 at Bharatheeya Natya Kalalayam Thalassery in the Kalakshetra style, focusing on Bharatanatyam under the guidance of Sri. Viba Vasu Master and later Sri Chemenchery Kunhiraman Master. He continued advanced Bharatanatyam coaching with Mrs. Sobha S Anand. His pursuit of classical dance extended to Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam, which he studied for over 18 years under various gurus, including Guru Udayalakshmanan. Manoj Manikkoth furthered his academic qualifications in dance, completing a Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) in Bharatanatyam from Bharathidasan University in Tamil Nadu and an MPhil in Dance from Tanjavur Tamil University, after earning a Bachelor's degree in Botany from Pondicherry University. In 1992, Manoj Manikkoth moved to the UAE. Driven by his passion to promote Indian culture, he began taking part in stage performances under the Indian Arts Society of Dubai in 1994. He started choreographing and providing personal training to students in Sharjah and Dubai. In 1999, he initiated annual dance festival programs with his disciples in Dubai and Sharjah. In 2013, he founded the Narthitha School of Dance in Dubai, with a vision to disseminate the beauty and depth of Bharatanatyam. The academy has since trained thousands of students and gained recognition among art enthusiasts. Manoj Manikkoth continues to lead Narthitha, imparting high-quality training in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, and Keralanatanam. He has organized 28 dance festivals in the UAE.