Mangaluru: Kiran Kamath an Aryabhata awardee and a disciple of Guru Mithun Shyam of Vaishnavi Natyashala Bengaluru, will be staging a Bharathanatyam performance based on Tulu literature during the Ganeshotsava celebration at Nehru Maidan on September 6 at around 8 pm.

Usually, Bharathanatyam dances are choreographed on classic literature from Tamil, Telugu or on mythological texts. It is for the first time a Bharathanatyam performance is based on Tulu literature. It is said to be an attempt to popularise the dance form among Tulu and Konkani speaking communities.

Kiran Kamath, who has been working relentlessly to enrich the art form was awarded Aryabhata Award in 2017.

Pressing for the inclusion of Tulu language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, a presentation of an anthem through this art form has been made by Kiran. It speaks about the history and origin of Tulunadu, the land, its temples, culture, language, literary works, warriors, festivals and much more. It is also an appeal for the recognition of the language.

This ‘Tulunada Nadageethe’ is an exclusive creation, penned by Dr Kabbinale Vasanth Bharadwaj and Choreographed by Natyacharya Mithun Shyam.

Kiran has participated in important government programmes like the Chiguru, Hampi Utsava, Karavali Utsava, Mysuru Dasara and various editions of the Makkala Habba in Bengaluru. She has performed twice in the very prestigious Bengaluru Ganesha Utsava in 2017 and 2018.  She has also performed regularly at Alva’s Nudisiri in Moodabidri.  She has been on Doordarshan Chandana, with four exclusive Konkani and Tulu performances, in 2016 and 2017. She has thereafter performed at various venues of various temples in and around Mangalore, Bangalore, Coorg district and also in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Kiran has been learning Bharathanatyam for the last ten years and has been performing on stage since June 2012.  Apart from Bharathanatyam, Kiran is training in Carnatic vocals, Yoga and the Keyboards.