Nashville Natya Idol Program
Venue:
Sri Ganesha Temple Auditorium
527 Old Hickory Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee, 37209
Award Ceremony - 7:30 PM EST
Registration Deadline - June 1st, 2025 - 10 PM
Music must be received immediately after registration. Latest, before June 1st, 2025 - 10 PM
Schedule
Schedule will be announced 48 hours before the competition.
| Code | Reporting Time | Dance Time |
| bixYBPSzSDPfYvUZmbVs | 3:30 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 1CG5ZchqFlCI5dvEPYkk | 3:30 PM | 4:07 PM |
| RGyMO7zyvFuQ1FyQRdiy | 3:30 PM | 4:14 PM |
| 27IaBc6WJYDfuRA6Qrb0 | 4:00 PM | 4:21 PM |
| jmxIRcq7qrcLrru1l3BE | 4:00 PM | 4:30 PM |
| un6eUfBgOWcbrHvbRzVo | 4:00 PM | 4:39 PM |
| sFK2fM2GPojCfzirL03Q | 4:00 PM | 4:58 PM |
| 4YI3aWvLbHNJdKi32Ioq | 4:30 PM | 5:07 PM |
Judges
Judges
Performance by Tarini Gajelli
Winner of 2024 American Natya Idol
Tarini Gajelli is an accomplished senior disciple of guru Shrimati Anupa Guha Thakurta at Deeksha school of performing arts and has been learning Bharatnatyam from the young age of five years old. She completed her Agaru in 2021 and has been performing. Various shows with her grew and solo performances in Metro Atlanta and select USA cities. She was also a part of Swarna Saroja, an event hosted by Ganesha Natyalaya in New Delhi, and has attended workshops by renowned gurus like Saroja Vaidhyanathan and Rama Vaidhyanathan. Tarini won 2nd Place in American Natya Idol 2024. On a professional front, she is a first-year MD student at Morehouse School of Medicine.
The first piece will be Devi Stuti.
"Devi Stuti" unfolds as a vibrant dance offering, a powerful tribute to Goddess Durga, the embodiment of divine feminine energy. It invites the audience on a transformative journey, moving from the serene flower-like beauty of the Goddess to her fierce strength atop her lion, as she vanquishes evil and bestows blessings. Ultimately, this piece is an ode to Durga's multifaceted nature as the beauteous goddess, compassionate mother, and demon slayer. She symbolizes the victory of truth over evil. This choreography weaves together the sacred geometry of concentric circles and intersecting triangles, all anchored by the potent Beeja Mantra to develop towards a crescendo to a center point - the Bindu, pulsating with energy. This is an ode to the beauty that is the woman—a yearning for that feminine power within each one of us. Choreography- Guru Rama Vaidyanathan. Verses from- Durga Saptashati Music Composer- GS Rajan Ragam- Gowlai, Suruthi, Hamsanandi Taalam- Adi
The second piece will be Amruthavarshini Thillana. - This vibrant piece celebrates nature and the beauty of the monsoons. Imagine the sun's rays drawing the essence of the oceans, nurturing them for nine months, as a pregnant mother does her baby, before the heavens release this precious elixir upon the earth. This Thillana evokes the very essence of the rainy season that we have currently been in, a time of renewal and abundance, reminding us of the joy, enrichment, and celebration of nature. Choreography- Guru Rama Vaidyanathan. Verses from- Valmiki Ramayana Kishkinda Kanda Ragam- Amurthavarshini
Results
Results of the winners will be announced on the same day of the event
Socres of all participants will be updated on this website with in 7-10 business days after completion of competition.
Performance by Deepashree Modekurthy
Winner of 2024 American Natya Idol
Deepashree Modekurthy is an accomplished disciple of guru Prasanna Kasthurifrom Soorya Dance Company, she has been learning Bharatnatyam from the young age of five years old. She has participated and toured with Soorya Dance company across USA.,
Deepashree won 2nd Place in American Natya Idol 2024 group show. On a professional front, she is a junior in high school in St. Louis, MO.
The first piece will be Nagendra Haaraaya.
"Nagendra Haaraaya" is a poem written by saint Shankaracharya on Lord Shiva. It expresses the 5 alphabets from "om Nama Shivaya". Each alphabet is followed by a deeper meaning and expression. This is is sung by Guruji Prasanna Kasthuri, in Raagamaalika and Khanda Chaapu taalam
The second piece will be Kuntalavaraali Tillana. - A great Tillana by Dr. Balamurali Krishna showcases the vibrancy of the movement and rhythms. Original choreography is by Central Naatak awardee Guru Narmada.