Devarattam & Silambam
by Nellai Manikandan
Dates
16 - 18 DEC 2022
Course Fees
Rs. 3000/-
Drop in Fee
Rs. 1200 /day
For group booking enquiries, please reach out to +91 99729 53973
* Early Bird Offer: First 5 registrations get a 15% - OFF.
About the intensive
K. Nellai Manikandan is an exponent and teacher of the South Indian art forms of Devarattam, Oyillatam, Karagam,
Thappattam and Silambam. Master Nellai Manikandan is known for implementing contemporary teaching methodologies in order to impart effective training in traditional folk art forms to his students. Forty-four-year old Nellai Manikandan has been learning Devarattam since the age of 8 and his first Guru was his father Shri. Kannan Kumar. He started teaching the art form at the age of 21. Shri. Nellai Manikandan received his Diploma in Folk Art from Tamil Nadu Government Music College, Chennai in 1997. He conducts workshops regularly at various schools, colleges, organisations and theatre groups across India and the world.
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Master Nellai Manikandan's work spans over an illustrious period of nearly two decades. He has been associated with
the following organisations, colleges, theatre groups, festivals, schools and projects: World Tamil ResearchCenter, Theosophical Society, Loyola College, Chennai Kalai Kuzhu, Russian Cultural Center, Koothu-P-Pattarai, Gnana Deepam School, Arangham Dance Troupe, Chennai Journal Center, Stella Maris College, Hindu Vidyalaya, Attakkalari, Aadhira's Naveena Koothupattarai, Hindu Lit for Life festival.
He has also choreographed for movies. Shri. K. Nellai Manikandan was bestowed with 'Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva
Puraskar' by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2010 for his contribution to the field of Indian folk art forms. These classes are inspirational and will introduce an earthy, sinuous and folk movement quality among participants.
‘I ENJOY TEACHING BECAUSE I LEARN FROM MY STUDENTS’
Ask Nellai Manikandan if he keeps in touch with his students after his workshops and he laughs before replying, “70% of my 1000+ followers on social media are my students. Barring two friends who were my classmates in school, all the friends I have today are my students!” An exponent of the south Indian folk dance forms of Devarattam, Oyillatam, Karagam, Thappattam and Silambam, Manikandan since 1996 has been keeping them alive by teaching them to every willing heart. Ahead of his three-day master class as part of Attakkalari’s Way of the Masters series, Manikandan sat down for an interview to share insights from his life as a dancer and tutor.