At SDN, the students are welcome to attend free of charge the auxiliary exercise class, where the students practise exercises from
yoga and martial arts. As an observer, you can attend practically any
classes at our school. In addition, you can use our video library free
of charge. Although the school does not provide the students with free accommodation, we can assist you to find an inexpensive lodging near
the school.
Children above 5 years old as well as adults can join the regular classes conducted at 3 different levels:
beginner
intermediate(for the students who completed their Salangai Puja)
advanced (pre- and post-arangetram level students)
At present the classes are held in KK Nagar and in Villivakkam 3 times a week.
Each class is 2-3 hours long.
Language of instruction: Tamil and English.
The tuition fees vary from depending on the class level and the student's family's income. For example, at the beginner level, the admission fees and monthly tuition fees are as follows:
if the student's family's annual income is up to Rs. 1.5 lakh:
admission fee: 0 (nil) /
tuition fee: Rs.250
if the student's family's annual income is between Rs. 1.5 and 3 lakhs:
admission fee: Rs. 400 /
tuition fee: Rs. 400
if the student's family's annual income is above Rs.3 lakhs:
admission fee: Rs.1000 /
tuition fee: Rs.600
Arangetram is the guru's endorsement of the student's reaching a relative mastery level, although the complexity of the items performed in the arangetram's margam depends on the student's age. Unlike most other, commercialized institutions, Sri Devi Nrithyalaya maintains the world's highest standards for those dancers who would like to pursue the arangetram programme. You can view the online videos of the arangetram recitals performed by an 11-year-old dancer and a 12-year-old dancer of Sri Devi Nrithyalaya.
The choice of the arantegram items demonstrates the guru's ability to bring out the student's best aptitudes. Preparation for an arangetram usually takes over 5 years, although in some cases it can take less time. The guru has to dedicate considerable time for the one-to-one classes, give special training sessions for the student and conduct several rehearsals with a live orchestra.
Some learners, especially those coming to Chennai for a short time, would like to attend a certain custom-built course that would fit their requirements, which means that most such programmes are individual classes. The tuition fees vary depending on the course and the student's financial resources.
Click here if you would like to apply for such a course.
Certificate course (non-graded)
This is a foundation course and covers all the essentials, both theory and practice. The standard course consists of 2 modules (Level 1 and Level 2) and lasts for 2 years.
The duration of this course can be shorter for those students who are not beginners and have already learnt some. To be eligible for a shortened course duration, such students have to demonstrate their current level of proficiency (e.g. by sending us a video with their most recent recital).
Level 1 includes the basics:
Adavus: Tattadavu, Nattadavu, Martita, Gudithadavu, Mandi, Korvai Items: Alarippu, Pushpanjali
Level 2 includes the intermediate items: Jatiswaram, Kouthuvam, Sabdam, Padam, Ashtapadi
After each year the student receives a Certificate of Attendance.
The course fees vary depending on the student's financial resources. Click here if you would like to apply for this course.
Certificate course (graded)
The course is the very similar to the above except the fact that the student is required to pass a formal examination after each year. Such a course is suitable for those students who are not satisfied with the certificate of attendance and would like to receive a certificate where their proficiency level would be stated. This course is a pre-requisite for attending the diploma course. The course fees vary depending on the student's financial resources. Click here if you would like to apply for the graded certificate course.
Diploma course (graded)
This intensive 2-years course is developed for those who consider becoming a professional dancer or a dance instructor. The pre-requisite for attending the diploma course is the successful completion the Certificate Course Level 2.
The duration of this course can be shorter for those students who have already learnt a lot. To be eligible for a shortened course duration, such students have to demonstrate their current level of proficiency (e.g. by sending us a video with their most recent recital).
The Diploma course includes: Thodaya Mangalam, Varnam, Padam, Javali, Tillana
The course fees vary depending on the student's financial resources. Click here if you would like to apply for such a course.
Workshops
Click here if you would like to invite Smt.Sheela Unnikrishnan or her senior assistants to conduct a workshop that you are organizing.
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