A tradition carried
forward, with grace.
Performer. Scholar. Choreographer.
Teacher. Social reformer.
Born in Madurai, Narthaki Nataraj trained in the Gurukula tradition under Guru K. P. Kittappa Pillai. Her work carries forward the Thanjavur Quartet repertoire and the rare tradition of Nāyaki Bhāva.
For over four decades, she has brought classical Margam, rare compositions and Tamil literary works to audiences across India and abroad.
A pioneering transgender artist, she became the first transgender Bharatanatyam artiste to receive the Padma Shri. Her journey continues to inspire through art, teaching and social advocacy.
Explore the traditionWhere expression
becomes devotion.
Nāyaki Bhāva
The individual soul, seeking union with the Divine.
At the heart of Nāyaki Bhāva is a journey of love, longing and surrender. Through Abhinaya, the emotional language of dance, devotion becomes a deeply personal experience that transcends gender and identity.
Narthaki preserves this tradition through rare compositions, Tamil literature, performance and teaching.
The next chapter
lives in her students.
Velliyambalam School of Dance
In Chennai, Narthaki Nataraj and Ms. Sakthi Bhaskar guide students from India and abroad in the traditional repertoire handed down by her guru.
Named in devotion to Lord Shiva, the school continues a living legacy of learning, practice and artistic discovery.
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