GURU SMT. V. MYDHILI (MIDHILALAYA DANCE ACADEMY, TRIVANDRUM)

Born in Palakkad district of Kerala,Mydhili started her initial training in Bharatnatyam at the age of seven.At the age of ten, she joined the Kerala Kalamandalam,and at the age of fifteen,she was awarded the Diploma.The following three years,she spent in teaching and performing.At the age of eighteen,she left for Madras to join the Kuchipudi Art Academy under the tutelage of Guru.Shri.Vempatti Chinnasatyam.She spent twenty years in Madras, teaching Bharatnatyam & Mohiniyattom on a small scale.She also spent most of her time,in attending workshops, lecture demonstrations, seasonal repertoires, and various other performances. The time she spent at Madras and her exposure to various informative as well as high quality demonstrations, workshops, and performances etc, helped in moulding her as a choreographer.In this rich atmosphere, her interest in choreography flourished to such an extent that it took precedence over her interest in performing.

After a span of twenty years in Madras, she settled in Trivandrum in 1983, where she established her own institution,”Midhilalaya Dance Academy” in 1984. She began composing with increasing number of students who participated under her able guidance and organizing capability,in various programmes in and out of Kerala.

Over these years she evolved as a master choreographer and a highly respected teacher. During these years, she has trained around 3000 students. She was awarded with the “Kaisiki Puraskar” from the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy for her service to the field of art, during the year 2002.

KALAI KAVIRI COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS

Kalai Kaviri, a cultural centre dedicated to promote Indian traditional art forms, was founded in 1977 as the brain - child of Rev. Msgr. SM George, a pioneer and trend - setter in the field of academics for Fine Arts and is run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tiruchirappalli. As a recognition for its committed services in the field of Fine Arts, the Tamil Nadu Government upgraded it as Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts which was started in 1996, affiliated to the Tiruchirappalli Bharatidasan University. BFA, MFA and Doctoral Research Programme (Ph.D), in Dance and Music are offered as regular full - time courses by the college. It is accredited with A Grade by the NAAC.

With the above academic experience, Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts in collaboration with the Bharatidasan University started Off-Campus Degree Programme in Bharathanatyam in 2004.