Sudha Peethambaran – The Director


Mrs. Sudha Peethambaran had the gift of being under the tutelage of Guru Kalamandalam Mohana Thulasi from the age of five. She has secured the coveted National Scholarship in Mohiniyattam from the Ministry of Human Resources Development ( HRD Ministry) Govt. of India, New Delhi. She is a performing artiste & ‘A’ Grade Artiste, Dooradarshan, Thiruvananthapuram and a Reference Panel Artiste of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi & IRCEN, New Delhi. She is the Chief Dance Co-ordinator of the National Sree Sankara Dance & Music Festival organised by Sree Sankara School of Dance at Kalady, the birth place of Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya. As co-ordinator of social productions, she has staged many dance programmes having social & contemporary relevance, apart from the conventional classical programmes. As the Chief Guru, she is supervising the training to nearly 1000 students every year.

As the Co-ordinator of Sankaram Loka Sankaram – A Natyabhashyam and Gurudeva Charitham – A Natyabhashyam, the two mega productions of the School, she imparted training to several students to propagate the teachings and messages of Adi Sankara & Sree Narayana Gurudev. As the Director of Choreofest, a festival of new choreographic productions in the field of classical dance, she is co-ordinating the Festival by imparting training to students under the choreographer Dr. (Prof.)C.P.Unnikrishnan.

The Performer

Sudha Peethambaran is a well known Mohiniyattam danseuse. Apart from her position as the Chief Dance Co-ordinator of National Sree Sankara Dance & Music Festival, she has proved herself as a front line danseuse by staging performance in major national and international dance progammes organised by Sangeeth Nataka Academy , Dept. of Tourism and the Govt.

The Dooradarshan has telecast her programme on national net work several times. The other electronic media have telecast her programmes by including them in the news considering the social relevance of the theme. The print media always carry her programmes in a big way. Presently she is undergoing training in Mohiniyattam under the guidance of Dr.(Prof) C.P.Unnikrishnan, an authority on Natyasasthra and famous choreographer, and Padmasree Awardee Kalamandalam Kshemavathy.

Major Performance of Sudha Peethambaran

Sree Krishna Temple, Guruvayur ( more than 10 times), Visa Oshwal Hall, Nairobi, Kenya, Radhakrishna Temple Mombassa, Dar-Es –Salam, Capital of Tanzania, India International Centre, New Delhi, Mohiniyattam Mahotsavam of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academi , Chennai Ayyappa Temple Festival, DTPC Onam Festival, Ernakulam, Mohini Nrithyathi – Sangeetha Nataka Academi Festival at Vyloppilli Samskriti Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, Koodal Manickyam Temple Festival, Irinjalakuda, National Sree Sankara Dance & Music Festival, Kalady, Sree Krishna Temple Festival, Thodupuzha, Fine Arts Society , Ernakulam, Sree Krishna Jayanthi Festival, Kochi, Dhanwandari Temple Festival, Nelluvayi, Adi Sankara Temple, Kalady, C. Kesavan Memorial Hall, Kollam, Global Malayalee Council Festival, Kochi, SRVCS State Convention, Ernakulam, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Professional Dance Festival organized by Sangeetha Nataka Academi at Aluva, Fine Arts Society , Perumbavoor, Nayarambalam Bhagavathy Temple Festival, Sree Dharma Sastha Temple Festival, Cherthala, Thapasya Arts Sahithya Vedi State Convention, Perumbavoor & Kalady. Narasimha Swami Temple, Thodupuzha & Kadungalloor, Devi/ Bhagavathi Temple Festivals- Manickamangalam, Vengoor, Angamaly, Puthiyedom, Desom, Piraroor, Dathathreya Temple Festival, Desom, Manappuram Siva Temple Festival, Aluva, Vaikundapuram Mahavishnu Temple, Kollam, Art for social change; Special Programme – Fine Arts Hall, Palakkad, Vailoppilly Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, Victory Hall, Kalady and Sree Sankara Natya Mandapam, Kalady, Hindu Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Ernakulam & Kalady, TDM Hall, Ernakulam, Indian Christian Movement Convention, Kochi, BEL Kuvampu Kalakshetra Hall, Jalahalli,, Bangalore ( KSNA Programme), Nishagandhi Open Air Auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram, Ayyappa Temple, Cherthala, Thankikavala, Alappuzha, Thiruvilwamala Vilwadrinatha temple, Kothamangalam Nellikkuzhi Bhagavathy Temple, Kollur Mookambika Temple, Kollur Karnataka, Chottanikkara Devi Temple, Kureekkad Krishna Temple, Chottanikkara

Professional dance programme of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy

KSNA, Thrissur used to invite Smt. Sudha Peethambaran for the professional Mohiniyattam Festival organized by it. Some of the programmes are:-

1. Professional Dance Festival organized at TASS Hall, Aluva
2. Mohini Nrithyathi at Regional Theatre, KSNA, Thrissur
3. Mohini Nrithyathi at Vyloppilly Samskriti Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram
4. Mohini Nrithyathi at Bel Kuvampu Hall, Bangluru
5. Mohiniyattam Workshop and Choreofest at Regional Theatre, Thrissur
6. Mohiniyattam Festival organised at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady.

Sudha Peethambaran’s special productions scripted & directed by Dr. C.P.Unnikrishnan

1. Sree Krishnaya Namaha : based on Lord Krishna ( Duration 25 minutes)
2. Sakthithrayeeswari : based on Devi with special reference to Kanakadhara Sthothram and Kalinataka of Sree Narayana Gurudev (Duration 20 minutes)
3. Ashtapathy : based on Lord krishna (Duration 18 minutes)
4. Kanakadhara Sthothram : based on Adi Sankar’s work, Kanakadhara Sthothram (duration 18 minutes).
5. Bhajagovindam Smaranam Saranam : Based on temple decoity (duration 12 minutes)
6. Acharya Smaranam Saranam : based on the messages of Reformist Leaders ( Gandhiji, Adi Sankaracharya, Sree Narayana Gurudev, Chattambi Swamigal, Ayyankali & Agamananda Swamigal( duration 30 minutes)
7.Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu: A production against global terrorism & communalism ( duration 25 mts)
8. Devi Kadaksham ; based on Godess Devi, using special light effect
9. Dasavatharam using special light effect

Traditional Items

1. Ananda Ganapathy – Invocatory item ( duration 10 minutes)
2. Krishna Nee Begane Baro : based on the work of Kanakadasa (duration 10 mts)
3.Cholkettu : based on Saraswathi Devi ( Duration 10 minutes )
4. Ashtanayikas – based on seven heroines ( duration 18 minutes)
5. Omanathingal kidavo – based on the lullaby of Irayimman Thambi ( duration 10 mts)
6. Devi sthuthi ( Duration 10 minutes)
7.Thillana ( Duration 10 minutes)

MASTER PIECES OF SUDHA PEETHAMBARAN

Upto 1993 , Sudha Peethambaran did Bharathanatyam , Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudy performances. Her main area of interest was Kuchipudi. She loved kuchipudy performances like anything . She was guided by her Guru Kalamandalam Mohana Thulasi in her stage performances. Later on when she started Sree Sankara School of Dance at Kalady, after her marriage, she shifted to Mohiniyattam while staging performances.

Even though she has performed many mohiniyattam items, omanathingal kidavo…. is the item which she used to perform the most.Art lovers also love to see this item, thus making omanathingal kidavo…., her master piece. Her item Ananda Ganapathy is yet another number.

A Krishna devote by herself , her special production , Krishnaya Namah.. has attracted the attention of art lovers all over Kerala. She has performed on 51 stages , this item of 25 minutes duration , to date. Sree Krishnaya Nama – the stages.

1. Dooradarshan Kendra, Thiruvananthapuram for national telecast, Feb . 2. 2010
2. Curtain raiser function of the 5th Sree Sankara Dance & Music Festival , April 10, 2010
3. 5th Sree Sankara Dance & Music Festival May 16, 2010
4. Bhagavatotsavam organised by Thapasya Kala Sahithya Vedi. May11, 2010
5. Guruvayoor Sreekrishna Temple , N
ov. 29,2010
6. Mombasa, East Africa, Dec.4,2010 7. Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Dec .5,2010.
8. Dar-Es-Ssalaam , capital of Tanzaniya, Dec.11,2010
9. Sree Krishna Temple, Kalady ,Feb.6.2011.
10. Kollengode (Palakkad) Mariamman Temple, Feb.27,2011
11. Nayarambalam Bhagavathy Temple, March 10, 2011
12. Kottarakara Vaikundeswara Temple, March 15,2011 (Santcum sanctorum of the temple)
13. Neelamkulangara Bhagavathy Temple , March 15, 2011
14. Vailoppilly Sanskriti Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, March 26,2011
15. Palakkad Fine Arts Hall , April 22,2011
16. Regional Theatre, Thrissur (Pranamam to Guru Kalamandalam Kshemavathy) July .24,2011)
17. Sree Krishna Temple Guruvayoor, June 15,2012
18. Sri. Dhathathreya Anjaneya Temple, Desom , Aluva Nov.1,2012
19. Sankara Vijayam programme at Aluva ( Kesavasmruthi) ; 20th year celebrations of SSD, Dec.1,2012
20. Mohiniyattam Mahotsavam of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Aacademy – Mohini Nruthyathi at Thrissur, Dec.8,2012
21. Sree Dhanyanthari Temple, Nelluvayi, Thrissur, Vaikunda Ekadasi Festival on Dec.22,2012
22. Chennai Mahalingapuram Ayyappa Temple, Dec. 20,2012
23. Kurumassery Parakkadavu Poonilavu Temple Jan.29,2013
24. Sree Durgadevi Temple, Vengoor, March 22,2013
25.Pallippattukavu Temple, Desom, Aluva, March.28,2013.
26. Puthiyedom Temple, April .3,2013
27. Muthappan Temple, Thuravunkara, April 20,2013
28. Vailoppilli bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, Mohini Nruthyathi ofKSNA,Dec.2,2013
29. Manickamangalam Karthiani Temple Festival, April .7, 2014
30. Thapasya State Camp, Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Kalady, Aug 9, 2014
31. The Hindu Economic Forum (HEF) , Kalady Chapter AGM, Golf View Hotel Nedumbassery, Aug.24,2014
32. Thalakkottaparambu Devi Temple, Thuravoor, Sep . 27, 2014
33. Guruvayoor Temple, nov.2,2014
34. I.C.C.R. Horizon Series of Progamme , Theerthapada Mandapam Thiruvanandapuram, Nov. 29,2014
35. TDM Hall , Silver Jubilee Programme of Sudha Peethambaran organised by SSD on Dec. 27, 2014
36. Ayyappankavu Temple Festival , Ernakulam, Jan 18,2015
37. Palakkal Bhagavathy Temple, Koratty, Jan18.,2015
38. Thiruwillwamala Villadrinatha Temple Festival, Feb.12.2015
39. Trippurayar Maha Deva Temple , Aluva ,March .21,2015
40. Manappuram Shiva Temple, April 2, 2015
41. Nellikkuzhy Pilgrimage Programme – Nellikkuzhy Bhagavathy Templ- April 10,2015
42. Narasimhaswami Temple , East Kadungalloor, Aluva , April 25,2015
43. The HEF Eranakulam District AGM, Hotel Sarovaram , May 5, 2015
44. Bel Kuampu Kalashetra Hall, Bengaluru,(Jalahalli) Dec. 6, 2015 – KSNA Programme
45. Sree Krishna Temple, Kureekkad, Chottanikkara

Sudha Peethambaran’s yet another master piece is ‘Sakthithrayeswari’ . The first presentation was on Dec .19, 2013 at Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple. Within a short span of time, the programme of 25 minutes duration has been presented on 17 stages. Krishna nee Begane Baro…. is yet another master piece of 10 minutes duration

The latest production , ‘Devikadaksham’ combining the ritualistic dance Mudiyettu has attracted the attention of many art lovers. It was presented for the first time in Kollur Mookambika Temple. There after , it was presented on 30th Dec. 2015, during the 7th National Sree Sankara Dance & Music Festival.