Mamallapuram Dance Festival

Held from 25th Dec, 2020 - 15th Jan 2021

Mamallapuram Dance Festival is organized during the months of January and February in the city of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. This event witnesses performances on the Indian classical dances such as the Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Kathakali. Prominent people from their respected fields gather for this cultural event which is also promoted by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department. It is one of the major cultural attractions to these parts of India. The virtuous city of Mahabalipuram (also Mamallapuram) is situated just 60 km off Chennai on the Bay of Bengal coast in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It extends from latitude 12°37' in the North to longitude 80°14' in the East. It is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. It is famous for its monolithic rock sculptures, cave and stone temples. The combination of old 7th and 8th century Pallava carvings, temples and wonderful beaches make the place a beautiful tourist destination. The Mamallapuram Dance Festival is much more than a mere dance festival. It portrays the culture and Heritages of India in a very unique manner.

History

Mamallapuram, popularly known as Mahabalipuram is named after the 7th century Pallava king Narasimha Varman I, Mammalan who was a great warrior and wrestler. It is a living testimony to the artistic temperament of the great Pallava kings who were trend-setters of the Dravidian architecture. Mamallapuram was once the ancient port of the Pallavas. It was the renowned and ancient 7th century centre for Pallava culture and arts. Mamallapuram is living testimonial of the art and culture prevalent at that time.

Events

• This four week Mamallapuram Dance Festival is held at the venue of Arjuna's penance, a bass-relief sculpted on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, in Mamallapuram. The magnificent backdrop that is provided by the Pallava Rock Sculptures provide an aesthetic touch to this cultural dance festival. Apart from the classical dances, folk dances are also performed in the festival.

• The open-air stage and the dancers from far and wide come to watch the best folk dancers in India perform in front of them under the open skies in an open-air theatre style ambience. This open-air stage was created about thirteen centuries ago, the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram.

• For 30 days the venue witnesses performances from elite dancers from all parts of the country such as assam, arunanchal pradesh, andhra pradesh, west bengal, kerala, karnataka etc. These performances are generally held in the evening.