ABOUT BHAVASREE NADANAKENDRAM
Three Decades of Preserving Classical Indian Dance
Established in 1992 by Founder & Director Guru Nadanabhooshanam Ajayakumaran Nair (Guru Ajayan Peyad), Bhavasree Nadanakendram is his life's classical institution, having grown from a humble temple courtyard initiative into one of the most revered classical dance academies in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
With a glorious legacy spanning over 34 years under his artistic leadership, our institution is dedicated to the systematic preservation, pedagogy, and stage dissemination of sacred Indian dance forms — Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Keralanadanam, and traditional Folk Dance.
We believe that classical dance is not merely physical performance, but a spiritual discipline (Sadhana) that instills discipline, mental poise, cultural roots, and artistic refinement in students across all ages.
Our main branch is located in Peyad, with an affiliated training branch in Nettayam.
Ajayakumaran Nair
Ajayakumaran Nair M, the founder and director of Bhavasree Nadanakendram, has dedicated 42 years to the practice and teaching of dance. As a disciple of the revered dancer and founder of the Keralanadanam dance form, Dr. Sri Guru Gopinath, Ajayan honed his skills and participated in numerous stage shows alongside his mentor.
He was bestowed with first-class honors in ‘Nadanabhooshanam’ in 1991 from Sri Swathi Thirunal Sangeetha College, he also delved into Sanskrit language and classical music. Apart from excelling in Keralanadanam, he has also mastered Bharatanatyam, Kuchupudi, Mohiniyattam, and Folk dance, showcasing his skills in various stage performances.
Notably, Ajayan has received accolades, including the ‘Raj Narayani Adhyapaka Puraskaram’ for the best dance teacher in 2022 and the ‘Keraleeyam Kala Puraskaram’ in 2021.
The Gurukula Tradition in Modern Times
Every student at Bhavasree receives individualized coaching that honors their unique pace and physical grace. From early foundational Adavus to the intricate emotional depths of Navarasa Abhinaya, our curriculum is structured systematically across multi-year milestones.
- ✦Holistic Foundation: Talam (Rhythm), Bhava (Expression), and Natya (Drama).
- ✦Stage Exposure: Annual Day productions, temple festivals, and Rangapravesham debuts.
- ✦Lifetime Fellowship: From toddler budding stars to adult women practitioners.
The Sacred Shankha: Primal Sound & Devotion
At the core of the Bhavasree emblem rests the Shankha (Sacred Conch), revered in Indian tradition as the vessel of Omkara — the primordial vibration of the cosmos. In classical dance, the conch represents auspicious commencement (Mangalarambha), purity of spirit, and the dedication of every footstep to the divine. Bearing the inscription “SINCE 1992”, our insignia is a seal of unbroken Gurukula lineage.