Eswaralaya Kalaikoodam (School of Dance) was first established in Sri Lanka in 1981, moved to New Zealand in 1988 and since 2003 has been successfully conducted in Southeast Queensland and is one of the leading dance institution in Queensland. Classes are conducted at Calamvale, (Southside of Brisbane), Banyo (Northside of Brisbane) and Gold Coast. In a short period, this school has touched the lives of many children, shaping their dreams and aspirations of continuing the tradition of classical dance.
The school conducts dance classes in Kalakshetra style. Though there are many different styles of dance currently, Kalakshetra style is one of the oldest and most respected. The founding member of Kalakshetra: Smt. Rukmani Devi has said that “The purpose of teaching the arts is not merely to teach children to dance and sing, but to be cultured and beautiful people.”
Smt. Manga Surendran (artistic director and choreographer of Eswaralaya Kalaikoodam) was the first student who performed an arangetram under the tutelage of late Smt. Gowri Muthukumarasami. She also studied with Smt. Balasundari Prathalingam and Smt. Subathra Sivadasan in Sri Lanka. Manga regularly attends Naatya Kala Conference which is held in Chennai every year. A Few years back, Manga underwent an extensive training course at Kalakshetra, Chennai to polish up her skills. Manga has performed countless solo recitals and group dances whilst she was a student in Sri Lanka.
During her time teaching, Manga has solely conducted 11 talented students to do their Arangetram. One of which was held in Sri Lanka and the 4 was held in New Zealand and rest in Brisbane, Australia.
Manga has a unique capacity for training students in Bharatha Natyam, folk dances and dance dramas. Many enthusiastic pupils from diverse cultural backgrounds undergo training in a systematic, disciplined and professional manner under her guidance.
Every year Eswaralaya Kalaikoodam conducts an annual program. This gives students an opportunity to showcase special pieces on the stage, giving them self confidence. Often, some pieces are done to live music which helps form a musical ear for the children. Students also have the opportunity of performing items in community shows, to share our culture with everyone.
Annual Concert: An Evening of Classical Dance
Dance in ancient India was more than art, it was a sacred act of worship, guiding seekers toward moksha, or spiritual liberation. According to tradition, the god Brahma first inspired the intertwined disciplines of natya (dance), vadhyam (instrumental music), and gitam (song).
Bharatanatyam, the classical dance of Tamil Nadu, bears the name of the sage Bharata, whose own name (“bha‑ra‑ta”) hints at its core elements: bhava (expression), raga (melody), and tala (rhythm). Together, these elements bring stories and emotions to life through precise movements and gestures.
A Bharatanatyam recital unfolds in three parts:
Nritta: Pure rhythmic movement (e.g., Alarippu, Jathiswaram, Thillana) focusing on tala.
Nritya: Combines expressive storytelling with intricate footwork, as in the Varnam.
Natya: Dramatic dance dramas where dancers embody different characters.
At its heart, Bharatanatyam is “music of the body”, a seamless blend of rhythm, melody, and emotion that connects dancer, audience, and the divine.
