ANJALI JEYARAM
About the Guru
Mrs. Anjali Jeyaram is an Oscar-nominated Carnatic vocalist and a highly acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer, deeply rooted in India’s classical arts. With over 30 years of rigorous training and performance experience, she is a Gold Medalist from the renowned Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, where she completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music.
Born into a family of legendary artists — daughter of Kathakali maestro Late Shri Kottakal Murali and granddaughter of Late Shri Achutha Warrier — Anjali’s artistic journey was shaped from a young age. She is an expert not only in Bharatanatyam but also in Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, and Kathakali. Her commanding stage presence and expressive storytelling have captivated audiences across India and the U.S.
A gifted vocalist, she often sings for live dance performances and has also lent her voice as a playback singer for a few Malayalam films, adding another dimension to her artistic journey. As the Artistic Director of Shiva Murali Kalakshetra, she continues to inspire the next generation of artists. In 2025, she led her disciples to a landmark performance at Carnegie Hall, New York, a proud milestone for both guru and students. She is also a respected teacher, performer, and frequently invited judge at prestigious dance and music competitions.
What is Bharatanatyam?
Bharatanatyam is the oldest classical dance tradition in India. The dance form was prevalent in ancient Tamil Nadu. Bharatanatyam (Tamil:பரதநாட்டியம்) also called as Sadhir Attam, is a major form of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu. It has flourished in the temples and courts of southern India since ancient times.It is one of the widely recognized eight forms of Indian classical dance (the others being Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Manipuri and Sattriya).
What is Carnatic Music ?
Carnatic music, known as Karnāṭaka saṃgīta or Karnāṭaka saṅgītam in the South Indian languages, is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka.The main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in gāyaki (singing) style.Carnatic music is usually performed by a small ensemble of musicians, consisting of a principal performer (usually a vocalist), a melodic accompaniment (usually a violin), a rhythm accompaniment (usually a mridangam), and a tambura, which acts as a drone throughout the performance.