05/03/2026
" Thiruthala Ulā — a thematic dance production that I had the wonderful opportunity to present under the guidance of my Guru, Smt. Malathy Thothadri, at the prestigious MFAC this year(10.01.2026). Inspired by the sacred kshetras of Srirangam, Puri, Chidambaram, Kashi, Pandarpur, and Sabarimala, we intended to bring to life the stories and krithis sung by composers, highlighting the glory and profound significance of each deity. Our vision was to create an experience of a divine pilgrimage through Bharatanatyam — a *Thiruthala Ulā*.
The idea sprouted on a casual day when I shared my love for Kanchi Kamakshi Temple and childhood memories associated with it with Ma'am. She sparked the idea: “Why not weave kshetrams, memories, and songs significant to them into each piece?”I was thrilled! I took it to Thothadri Sir… and he lit up, despite his health. He picked kshetrams with such enthusiasm, shared stories like treasures, and poured his soul into every idea.
I’ve often heard that the process is more important than the destination — I experienced this truth firsthand working on this production. Every class with Ma'am felt new, rich, rewarding, intriguing, and extremely fun. Thothadri Sir would also sit quietly, observe, and share his valuable artistic inputs. The selfless passion and involvement they both have towards this art, our religion, and God is beyond anything I’ve seen. These are moments and memories I’ll cherish for life, and Sir’s presence is felt in the very soul of this production.
I’m utterly grateful to Ma'am for trusting me with this thematic presentation — it’s been a dream come true. "Thiruthala Ulā" is a tribute to Ma'am and Sir’s selfless passion, art, and affection ❤️.
I’ll be sharing more glimpses and clips from the performance, so stay tuned! "
- Dr. Vinaya Dhanasekar
