Bharatnatyam dancer Satyanarayana Raju is still alive at 60

Satyanarayana Raju’s Shashthi Varna Chakra will be organized on January 6, 2026 to commemorate 60 dance performances this year. The artiste, who was born in 1965, and will turn 60 in January, says, “It was my mentors – Subhadra Prabhu, S. By presenting five performances every month.

make a course

Although Satyanarayana has been honored with several awards, including the Karnataka Kalashri 2016-17 by the Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy, her path to the stage was arduous as the world of dance in the 70s and 80s was not very inclusive.

“Movie siri siri muvva I came out when I was in middle school and I was mesmerized by the dancing of actress Jayaprada. That’s when I told myself that I will make this dream come true,” he says, pulling up his trousers over his dance costume to avoid his father’s wrath. “My mother was very supportive of my passion and I have used some of her sarees to make my outfits. Unfortunately, he never got the chance to see me perform.

When he wanted to celebrate 40 years of his journey, Satyanarayana organized Rasabhinaya, an all-male classical dance festival run by his Bengaluru-based dance school Sanskriti. Satyanarayana recalls, “As an ardent devotee of dance, I was confident that there would be others like me who wanted to showcase their hard work and creativity; this inspired me to convene an all-male group.”

Dancer Satyanarayana Raju Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

At his recent 55th performance organized by Silambam Academy of Fine Arts and Silambam’s Aishwarya Karthik and Gayatri, both dance institutes in the city, Satyanarayana received a standing ovation, saying it was refreshing to see the changed mindset of the present times.

“It is wonderful to see so many male dancers on stage. I believe that the progress of the art depends on institutions that encourage budding artists from economically weaker sections of the society to create an inclusive world of performing arts,” he said, adding how his mentors were instrumental in his progress and success.

still going strong

Explaining why he took up the ‘Ashtaragamalika Varna’ as his main piece, Satyanarayana, who first learned it from Narmada, says, “This Varna is a highly respected piece in the Bharatanatyam repertoire as it displays the virtuosity and deep artistry brought by the musicians known as the Tanjore Quartet, including Ponnayya, Chinnayya, Sivanandam and Vadivelu.”

“The lyrics of ‘Sami Ninne Kori’, depicting the heroine’s love for Lord Shiva, evolve from a playful notion to a mature, deeply spiritual union that unfolds in eight ragas, while the rich Communicative (Descriptive dance piece) offers a peace in its poetic depth and complex rhythms Devotion Experience.”

According to Satyanarayana, it took him three years to perfect the piece to Narmada’s satisfaction. “I wish she were alive to see me perform this dance, to which she gave her distinctive style, although it was originally choreographed by Kittappa Pillai. The varna is based on eight ragas, and is integrated with aesthetic footwork along the eight Jatis In metaphorical rhythm.”

Satyanarayan will be accompanied by singer Vasudha Balakrishna, Bharat Narayan on Nattuvanga, mridangist Balakrishna SV and flute player Karthik Sathavalli.

Natyagamya and Sanskriti will present the 60th performance of Shashti Varna Chakra by Satyanarayana Raju on January 6, 2026 at 6 pm at Meenakshi Theater Auditorium, Doddakalasandra, Kanakapura Main Road. Entry free and open to all.