About Manjunath N Puttur
Manjunath N Puttur is a distinguished Bharatanatyam artiste, choreographer, nattuvanar, composer, and scholar whose journey began in the small town of Puttur, Karnataka. Starting his dance training at the age of six, he has grown into one of the most celebrated and innovative voices in Indian classical dance today.
His artistry blends tradition with experimentation — most notably through his pioneering work on Talaavadhana in Bharatanatyam, a rhythmic innovation that has earned national and international recognition, including entries in the Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records.
Manjunath is a poet, composer, and lyricist, having written original korvais, jathis, and full Bharatanatyam pieces used by dance schools in India and abroad. He has a dual Master’s degrees in Bharatanatyam and Economics.
An Educator and Cultural Ambassador
As the founder and director of Shree Manjunatha Nrithya Kala Shale in Kalaburagi, Manjunath has trained and mentored students across 12+ countries including the USA, UK, Australia, Germany, France, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Middle East. His academic contributions include designing a certificate course on Talaavadhana in association with prestigious institutions like Reva University and Alva’s College under Mangalore University.
His unique compositions — including alaripu, jatiswaram, daru varnam, and thillanas — are performed globally and featured in Bharatanatyam exams and arangetrams across institutions.
Performances and Presence
With over 600 Bharatanatyam performances, 200+ Yakshagana shows, and numerous light music concerts, Manjunath has graced renowned stages including:
International Performances
- Malaysia
- Trio Bharathanatyam performance in kalamandapam auditorium, Malaysia organized by Sri Ganesalaya, Malaysia.
- Talavadhana in Bharathanatyam onstage session in ICC, Malaysia.
- Narthana fine arts ,Sungai petani, Malaysia presented his pushpanjali choreography in a Ranga Pravesham.
- USA
- Conducted classes and workshops with Srilaya Academy
- Mentorship and choreography for students’ solo and group performances
- United Kingdom, France, Germany, Singapore, Australia, Ukraine, Muscat, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Kuwait
- Online and in-person training sessions, lecture-demonstrations, and mentorship
- Compositions performed by students and institutions in Canada, Singapore, Muscat, Malaysia
He is also a sought-after nattuvanar, having conducted group productions and solo recitals with precision and grace
India & Festival Highlights
- Natyanjali Festivals in Chidambaram and Thanjavur
- Mysore Dasara – Solo Bharatanatyam performance
- Melpathoor Sabha, Guruvayur – Solo recital
- Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore – Solo Yakshagana and Bharatanatyam
- National Youth Festival, Mangaluru
- Seethadevi Temple, Wayanad & Sungai Petani International Collaborations
- Performance Tour – Kerala, Assam, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tripura
Solo Performances
- Yakshagana, Dakshayini in jaganmohan palace, Mysore organised by Kala Sandesha Pratistana(R), Mysuru.
- Bharathanatyam performance in Melpathoor sabha, Guruvayur.
- Bharathanatyam performance in Manasha dance academy Lumding, Assam.
- Bharathanatyam performance organised by Sri Ganesha Nruthyalaya, Bengaluru.
- Bharathanatyam in Natyanjali festival, Chidambaram 2023
- Bharathanatyam in Mysore organized by Ganabharathi.
- Bharathanatyam in prestigious mysore dasara- 2022.
- Performed Bharathanatyam in Mangaluru organised by Karnataka Karavali Nritya Parishath, Mangaluru.
- Bharathanatyam performance at Jagnmohana palace, Mysore.
- Solo thematic production ‘ Sahasthraksha Indra’ choreographed by Vid. Ambala Rajeshwari at Mahamasthakabhisheka, Shravanabelagula.
- Performance at Mahamasthakabhisheka, Karkala.
- Performance organised by Natyanjali kala academy (R) Suratkal
- Performance at Mahamasthakabhisheka, Dharmasthala.
- Performance at 73rd Kannada Sahityasammelana, Shivmogga.
- Performance at Polali Rajarajeshwari temple.
- Performance at National festival organised by Nrityangan Mangaluru.
- Performance organised by Avva pustakalaya, Bengaluru.
- Performance at Chinmaya nagar, Chennai.
- Performance at National level youthfest at Mangalore.
- Performance at Kolluru Mookambika temple.
- Performance at Durgaparameshwari temple.
- Performance at Kasaragod distric Kannada Sahithya sammelana.
Duet and Group Performances
- Duet performance in Kalemane Sabha, Kumar's performing arts center, Mysuru
- Worked as a Nattuvanar for the group performance in Chidambaram and Tanjavor Natyanjali festival 2023.
- Duet Bharathanatyam performance in pune, Maharastra organized by Sri Gurudeva Nrithyalaya, pune.
- Group performance at Rajangana, Udupi mutt.
- Presented "Veera sanyasi" and "shabarimale Swami ayyappa" dance drama's along with his students.
Workshops
- As a resource person,He completed 98 workshops of Tala Prakriya and Bharathanatyam.
- Reputed Bharathanatyam institutions organised his workshop.
- As a young achiever,he holds first place in Coastal Karnataka as a resource person for the workshop.
