Natyanjali
Natyanjali is a composition in bharatanatyam choreographed by Sri V. P. Dhananjayan circa 1968. It is in Raga Mallika, tala Mallika, and praises Ganesha, Saraswati, Vishnu, Shiva, and the Gurus in Sanskrit Slokas, each with different talas and ragas.
Natyanjali is an annual classical Indian dance festival timed to Shiva Ratri.
Originally, was introduced at the Chidambaram temple, but nowadays also organized at many other temples in Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Chennai, Nagapatinam, Mayavaram, Thirunallar, Thiruvanaikoil, etc.
Sri Subramania Samaj, Chhedanagar, Chembur, Mumbai has been conducting Natyanjali for the past many years at their temple complex during Mahasivratri. The festival of dance continues for more than a week and dancers of all styles have been offering their art at the feet of Lord Nataraja. On Sivaratri night senior Gurus, some of them septuagenarians, have been performing year after year.
This year, i.e. 2015 the 13th year of Natyanjalimumbai festival will be held from 11 February 2015 to 17 February 2015. This year's Mahashivaratri falls on 17 February 2015. There will be special poojas at Thruchembur Murugan temple throughout that night. Dance teachers and Gurus of all styles will offer their chosen art form at the feet of Lord Nataraja, from 6.00 pm to 8.30 pm.
Natyanjali denotes to the dance festival at Chidambaram Sri Sabanayagar Temple ( Sri Natarajar temple). Before some 40 years Carnatic music concerts are conducted daily in the 1000 pillar mantap. Legends like Chidambaram S.Jayaraman, Sirkali S.Govindarajan, Sheik Chinnamoulana use to perform voluntarily every day till Thaipoosam. The origin of Natyanjali at Chidambaram was originally initiated at a very simple level by a Muslim( I think his name is Mr.Moideen Bai). He used to teach dance to the young ones from Dheekshidar and families for free of cost. He used to conduct dance programmes in festive days with concepts like "Valli thirumanam" etc. The songs of his own composition were mixed with the famous kirthanas. The Muslim veteran did it as a service without seeking any renumeration therefor and led a very simple life and stood as a pillar for religious integrity. Sri Thirumuruga Krubananda Wariar had many times appreciated the Muslim sadhu. Even I had read an article about him in the HINDU daily during 1982 or 1983.