Nritya-Anjali to Present ‘Garland of Devotion’ Celebrating 20 Years of Dance

LITTLETON, MA — Nritya-Anjali School of Dance will present Garland of Devotion, a Broadway-style Bharatanatyam dance-drama on October 3 at Littleton High School, marking the school’s 20th anniversary.

The production, directed and produced by Kalaimamani Madurai R. Muralidharan, will be performed by students of Hema Iyengar. The program will tell the story of Andaal, the poet-saint and devotee of Lord Vishnu, through Bharatanatyam, music and storytelling.

For Iyengar, the production marks an important milestone in her work as a dance teacher and performer.

“This performance holds a deeply special place in my heart as Nritya-Anjali School of Dance celebrates its 20th anniversary,” Iyengar said. “I am thrilled that my guru, Kalaimamani Madurai R. Muralidharan, has agreed to lead this production.”

Several of Iyengar’s senior students, many of whom are now attending college or working, are returning to perform in the production.

“I am also immensely proud and grateful that so many of my senior students—who are now away at college or working—are taking the time to return to the stage. I, too, will be performing alongside them in this production!” she said.

The production focuses on Andaal and her Pasurams, devotional poems associated with the Vaishnava tradition. Iyengar said the story has particular personal significance to her.

“Andaal and her immortal Pasurams have always been extraordinarily close to my heart, and it is my absolute honor and pleasure to present her divine story to the New England community,” she said.

The event will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. on October 3 at Littleton High School in Littleton, Massachusetts.

In addition to celebrating Nritya-Anjali’s 20th anniversary, the performance will have a charitable component. Proceeds will support Ekal Vidyalaya, an organization that works to provide education to children in rural communities.

The organizers said the production is intended to bring together members of the community through dance, music and the performing arts while supporting the educational initiative.

Iyengar invited members of the dance and arts community to attend the performance, saying, “I warmly invite all my dance friends, rasikas, and art lovers to join us for this special evening, and I would be so grateful if you could share this event and spread the word across your networks.”