Bharatanatyam Advanced – Showcase 2026
Our Bharatanatyam Advanced course will deepen your connection with this art form whilst also providing a stage performance opportunity. If you’re looking to drill your adavus & learn a new dance item, then this is the class for you! We recommend at least 7 years recent experience, or more than 10 – 12 years past experience to enrol at this level.
Dates: 9 June – 2 August 2026*
*NO CLASS 7 July
Time: Tuesdays 8.20pm (1 hour class)
Teacher: Govind Pillai
Course Fee: $340
Showcase date: Sunday 2 August @ Bunjil Place Theatre
9 Spots available
Summary
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- This course is part of Studio J’s annual stage show. Join us on stage and live out your dance dreams with your loved ones cheering you on!!
- Expand your repertoire and movement vocabulary through learning a classical dance item for stage. We will learn the super power-packed Navarna Mantra! A new group choreo in praise of Goddess Durga that showcases Bharatanatyam alongside reviving tribal goddess and demon worship practises that influenced the art in pre colonial times (like trance steps, head rolls, wide stances)! Hone your core Bharatanatyam technique and also open up new worlds of history and understanding of the art and what shaped it!
- Develop a deeper practical and theoretical understanding of Bharatanatyam
- Refine and further develop your form and technique
- Learn in a supportive and encouraging environment, geared towards adult learning
- Work on your fitness, strength and flexibility
- Meet a friendly group of like-minded dancers
- Be taught by the best in the industry, a professional Bharatanatyam dancer & teacher with over 25 years dance experience
- Get weekly practice videos to support your learning outside of class time
- Have access to a private group chat (via WhatsApp), to encourage communication with other students and your teacher
**PLEASE NOTE:**
– Regular attendance throughout this course is essential in order to participate in the final stage performance, including a compulsory dress rehearsal on show day. Class recordings will be available for independent catch up between classes. If you miss any sessions and have not caught up adequately, then your participation in showcase will be reviewed and may be revoked.
– Showcase will be on Sunday 2 August at Bunjil Place Theatre, Narre Warren. Dress rehearsal is from approx 9am onwards, with performance from 6pm. Students must keep this entire day available for now – exact timings to be confirmed.
– Unfortunately, there are no refunds, exchanges or credits for any reason.
Please consider the above commitments prior to enrolling.
Teacher – Govind Pillai
Govind Pillai is one of Australia’s leading Bharatanatyam practitioners and art makers. With an international track-record of sell-out productions and festival appearances, he has choreographed, directed and performed at venues and events including the Victorian Arts Centre, Sydney Opera House, Midsumma Festival, Woodford Folk Festival etc. and has held roles as Director of Karma Dance, Chair of the Board of the National Theatre (St Kilda), Lead Male Dancer of Sanskriti Dance (Sydney), Vice President of Flare Dance Co. (Melbourne), and Dance Advisor elect to the Federation of Indian Music and Dance Inc (Victoria). Read more about Govind in his interview here!