Every year, in August-September, Natyarangam organizes a thematic dance festival, which has evolved as a major event in Chennai’s cultural calendar. Through an interdisciplinary approach, Natyarangam brings together dancers, scholars, composers, artists, musicians, poets, writers, and Harikatha experts.
Young dancers are also chosen to feature in the prestigious festival, which offers a platform for experimentation and exploration of new horizons in Bharathanatyam. This has encouraged them to come into their own by honing their creative skills.
Every year on the inaugural day of the festival, Natyarangam honours an eminent Guru/Dancer with a medal and a purse. Endowment awards are given to accompanying musicians for Bharathanatyam and to dancers of merit.
| Year | Title of the Festival | Theme |
| 1997 | Vande Mataram | India’s Freedom Struggle by Poets and current India in Pudu Kavithai |
| 1998 | Gita Bharatham | Classical music and Bharathanatyam |
| 1999 | Bharatham Samanvayam | Harmony of Religions |
| 2000 | Bharatham Trikaalam | Man, Woman, Child, Nature and Dharma – Past, Present and Future |
| 2001 | Katha Bharatham | Harikatha and Bharatham |
| 2002 | Rasa Bharatham | Navarasas and modern poetry |
| 2003 | Kavya Bharatham | Classic Poetry and Drama in Bharatham |
| 2004 | Laya Bharatham | Rhythm and percussion instruments in Bharatham |
| 2005 | Ramayana Bharatham | Six Kaandams in five languages |
| 2006 | Daasa Bharatham | Saint Poets of India |
| 2007 | Kshetra Bharatham | Holy Places of India |
| 2008 | Teertha Bharatham | Sacred Rivers of India |
| 2009 | Bharatham Maha Bhaaratham | Characters in Mahabharata in Folk tradition and Bharatham |
| 2010 | Vaggeyabharatham | Compositions of Vaggeyakaras |
| 2011 | Bharatham Kathai Kathaiyaam | Tamil Short Stories and parallels from Puranas, legends and history |
| 2012 | Baandhava Bharatham | Relationships |
| 2013 | Bhoopaala Bharatham | Kings as Protectors of the Land and People |
| 2014 | Upanishad Bharatham | Interpreting the Upanishads using the dance metaphor |
| 2015 | Twentieth Year of Natyarangam - | A retrospective selection |
| 2016 | Krishna Bharatham | Krishna sung by the Bhakthas |
| 2017 | Thyaga Bharatham | 70th Independence Day - A celebration through Dance |
| 2018 | Chithra Bharatham | Synergistic Presentation of Artists through Dance |
| 2019 | Devi Bharatham | The Devi through Music and Dance |
The Conceptualisation of a Festival and some videos
Visit our Facebook Page for current updates.