DANCE LEGACY OF LEELA
Sri Raja Rajeshwari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir: A Timeless Legacy
Growing up in Bombay, Raja Rajeshwari in Matunga was more than just a dance school—it was a second home. It was a place of discipline, constant correction, and deep, nurturing love. My memories of those days include the warm kitchens of Akhila Kunj, the home of Mythili Mami and Master. The unique, divine mix of rasam, kootu, taiyir (yogurt), and other dishes became my ultimate comfort food. Preparing these meals alongside my fellow students was a cherished reward after hours of rigorous practice under the watchful eyes of our beloved Master.
Raja Rajeshwari was not only where I learned Bharatanatyam but where I absorbed a way of life. It’s a place I hold in my heart with deep gratitude and respect.
In 2023, our esteemed Master, legendary nattuvanar K. Kalyanasundaram Pillai, was honored with the Padma Shri award from the Government of India for his dedication to Bharata Natyam. Master humbly dedicated this honor to his own gurus, Thanjavur P. Kuppiah Pillai, A.T. Govindraj Pillai, and T.K. Mahalingam Pillai, who upheld the revered Thanjavur tradition of Bharatanatyam.
Gurus of Sri Raja Rajeshwari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir
“A Bharatanatyam guru for over seven decades, K. Kalyanasundaram Pillai has been selected for the Padma Shri award. ‘I humbly accept this honor and see it as an honor bestowed upon my family and a legacy spanning hundreds of years in this art,’ he said.”
Established in 1945 by Guru Govindaraja Pillai, Sri Raja Rajeshwari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir carries forward a 300-year-old lineage rooted in the royal courts of the Maratha rulers of Thanjavur. This heritage began with Kalyanasundaram Master’s grandfather, Sri Panchapakesa Nattuvanar, who served as Samasthana Vidwan (court scholar and artist) in Thanjavur. Later, his son, Bharata Vidwan Kuppiah Pillai, brought this rich tradition to Mumbai, where he became the visionary behind Sri Raja Rajeshwari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir.
Today, Leela School of Dance is honored to continue this legacy with the same dedication and respect for tradition. We are committed to preserving the art and teachings passed down through generations, connecting our students to the rich history and cultural depth of Bharata Natyam.
Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya
If Raja Rajeshwari provided me with a strong foundation in Bharata Natyam, Nalanda expanded my appreciation for the depth and breadth of this dance form.
Founded by Padma Bhushan Dr. Kanak Rele, Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya is one of India’s most esteemed dance institutions. Known affectionately as “Kanak Ben,” Dr. Rele was an extraordinary dancer and a remarkably astute academic. The carefully designed BFA and MFA programs at Nalanda immerse students in the history and philosophy of Indian classical dance, revealing its deep connections to music, painting, sculpture, architecture, and literature.
For me, the five-year degree program in BFA and MFA made dance truly come alive.
At Leela, we are deeply grateful for the lessons learned, the friendships made, and the precious memories that bind us to Nalanda.
Padma Bhushan Dr. Kanak Rele
American University, Washington D.C.
Dance Department
While Nalanda and Raja Rajeshwari provided a firm foundation and instilled a deep love and respect for Bharata Natyam, American University broadened our dance horizons like never before.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Naima Prevots, the graduate program immersed me in the unfamiliar yet fascinating world of modern dance, challenging me to see dance from a completely new perspective.
Dr. Prevots was known for pushing her students beyond their comfort zones—a philosophy that profoundly shaped my journey. Her class on composition offered fresh insights, encouraging me to approach choreography with a renewed and experimental mindset. Working on my thesis, exploring the role of Indian dance within the framework of multicultural education, added another layer of understanding, highlighting the unique dynamics of dance in the U.S.
Later, teaching as an adjunct professor at American University inspired me to develop innovative approaches to teaching this vast and complex art form.
Dr. Naima Prevots
Nattuvanar, Guru Soundera Rajan leading the orchestra.
Each of these three institutions—Raja Rajeshwari, Nalanda, and American University—has profoundly shaped my approach to dance. I bring the rich learning from each of these places to Leela School of Dance, which stands as a repository and beneficiary of this treasured legacy.
