About Manjunath N Puttur
Vid. Manjunath N Puttur is a Bharatanatyam artist, choreographer, scholar, Nattuvanar, Tala Avadhana practitioner, teacher, composer and writer. His artistic journey is rooted in traditional Bharatanatyam while embracing research, experimentation and new approaches to tala, choreography and performance.
He received his training under Guru Vidwan Sri Sudarshan M. L. Bhat, completing his Vidwat Bharatanatyam degree and securing 4th place in Karnataka State. He later completed his Master’s degree in Bharatanatyam from the University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, with first class.
With 600+ performances, 108 workshops, and experience teaching more than 2,000 students across India and abroad, his work reflects a continuous commitment to the practice, teaching and evolution of Bharatanatyam.
Artist, Educator & Cultural Ambassador
Manjunath N Puttur has dedicated his artistic journey to the learning, teaching and propagation of Bharatanatyam. As a teacher and choreographer, he has trained students in India and abroad through regular classes, intensive workshops and online programmes.
He has conducted 108 workshops in Bharatanatyam and Nattuvangam, reaching students and practitioners across India and in more than 10 countries. Many of his students have gone on to establish their own Bharatanatyam institutions and continue to teach the art form.
He also provides free Bharatanatyam education to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, extending his commitment to making the art accessible to a wider community.
Performances & Artistic Presence
With more than 600 performances, Manjunath N Puttur has presented Bharatanatyam on prestigious stages and at festivals across India and internationally. His performances span solo presentations, thematic productions and collaborative programmes.
International Performances
- Kalamandalam Auditorium, Malaysia - 2022
- Performances and workshops with Malaysian institutions
- International teaching and Nattuvangam programmes
- Artistic outreach extending to more than 10 countries
Indian & National Performances
- Melpattur Sabha, Guruvayur, Kerala - 2024
- Manasha Sabha, Lumding, Assam - 2023-24
- Nada Neerajanam, Tirupati - 2025
- Natyanjali Festival, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu - 2023
- Natyanjali Festival, Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu - 2023
- Ganabharathi Sabha, Mysuru - 2022
- Mysuru Dasara Festival - 2022
- 73rd National-level Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, Shivamogga
- Nrithyakeshi Dance Festival, Solapur, Maharashtra
- Rasanubhava, Kozhikode, Kerala
- Various prestigious art platforms across India
Choreographer & Teacher
As a choreographer and teacher, Manjunath N Puttur creates traditional Bharatanatyam choreographies as well as original compositions, working with students and institutions across India and abroad.
His major dance producions include:
- Sri Rama Kathamritham: A dance drama choreographed for the All Kerala Dance Teachers Organisation (AKDTO), Wayanad, Kerala, in 2024. The production went on to complete more than 15 shows across Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Dashavatharam: A production choreographed for AKDTO, Wayanad, in 2025.
- Veera Samnyasi: An ethical dance drama choreographed for the students of Sri Manjunatha Nritya Kala Shaale in 2017.
- Kinkini: A 40-minute solo thematic production.
- Rudra Namana: A 45-minute group production based on Veerabhadra Swamy
Composer & Creative Works
Manjunath N Puttur is recognised for his distinctive approach to Bharatanatyam composition, combining traditional structure with research and experimentation in tala, rhythm and choreography.
He has created nearly 95 compositions in Margam format, including:
- Pushpanjali
- Alaripu
- Kavithvam
- Jatiswaram
- Shabdam
- Varnam
- Keerthanam
- Javali
- Tillana
His compositions have been presented in 100+ programmes and Arangetrams, with institutions across India incorporating his works into their performances.
Unique Compositions
His research-driven compositions include more than 25 Alaripus created in distinctive talas and formats, including:
- Dwigati Alaripu
- Shanmukhapriya Tala Alaripu
- Chanda Tala Alaripu
- Chapudwaya Alaripu
- Desi Talamalika Alaripu
- Brahma Tala Alaripu
- Mukhi Tala Alaripu
- Suladi Tala-based compositions
He has also composed five unique Varnams, including:
- Navarasa Sati
- Draupadi
- Natyarani Shanthala
- Nayaka Bhava Varnam
- Devi Daru Varnam in Sankeerna Jati Ata Tala
Jagadguru Tala
On 11 July 2026, Manjunath N Puttur introduced a new tala, “Jagadguru”, along with an S1S Anga system supported by logical and spiritual explanations.
He created eight Bharatanatyam compositions in a Margam format based on this tala, adding another dimension to his continuing research into rhythm and composition.
Nattuvanar & Tala Educator
As a Nattuvanar, Manjunath N Puttur has performed at prestigious venues and festivals including Natyanjali Festival, Chidambaram and Tanjavur, Melpattur Sabha, Kerala, and Sri Krishna Sabha, Udupi, along with numerous Arangetrams.
As a Nattuvangam teacher, he has developed distinctive teaching methods and trained more than 15 students as Nattuvanars. His students have gone on to perform as Nattuvanars and establish their own institutions.
He has conducted Nattuvangam workshops at institutions including:
- Reva University, Bengaluru
- Alva's Degree College, Moodbidri
- Oxford College, Bengaluru
- Natyaniketana, Kolya, Mangaluru
- Nritya Vasantha Nrityalaya, Kundapura
- Manasha Dance Academy, Lumding, Assam
- Shringara Lahari, Kolkata
- AKDTO, Wayanad, Kerala
- Institutions in Malaysia
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 & Knowledge Sharing
Manjunath N Puttur has completed 108 workshops in Bharatanatyam and Nattuvangam, sharing his knowledge with students, teachers and practitioners across India and internationally.
His workshops have covered Bharatanatyam, Nattuvangam, tala techniques and related aspects of rhythm and performance.
He has also served as a resource person for institutions and organisations across India and abroad, helping students and teachers explore new approaches to Bharatanatyam and Nattuvangam.
Tala Avadhana in Bharatanatyam
One of Manjunath N Puttur’s distinctive areas of artistic research is the connection between Tala Avadhana and Bharatanatyam.
He created an application titled “Talaavadhana in Bharatanatyam”, comprising four modules for academic purposes. The programme has been developed as an academic certificate course at Reva University, Bengaluru, and Alva’s Degree College, Moodbidri.
His work combining Tala Avadhana and Bharatanatyam has also inspired further experimentation among practitioners and students.
His achievement involving 20 unique experiments in 25 minutes has been recognised by the India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records.
Awards & Recognition
- Doordarshan "B" Artist in Bharatanatyam - 2008
- District Rajyotsava Award in Bharatanatyam
- Tala Praveena - Sri Siddartha Institute, Tumkur
- India Book of Records
- Asia Book of Records
- Nrithya Gati Praneetha - Nritya Vasantha Nrityalaya, Kundapura
- Nrithyaradhana Award - Sri Radhakrishna Nritya Nikethana, Udupi
- Rajatha Sri - Sri Sharada Kala Kendra Trust, Puttur
- Aryabhata International Award - Aryabhata Institution, Bengaluru
- Young Scholarship - Karnataka Sangeetha Nrithya Academy, Bengaluru, 2008–09
- Kala Surendra Award - Sri Vishwa Yaksha Nritya Nikethana, Nilavara
- Sourabha Youth Award - Sourabha Trust, Mangaluru, 2008
- Gadinada Dhwani Award - Gadinada Trust, Kasaragod, Kerala, 2008
Art Service & Legacy
Beyond the stage, Manjunath N Puttur is committed to making Bharatanatyam accessible and meaningful to future generations.
He provides free education to many economically disadvantaged students in Kerala and Karnataka and has taught more than 2,000 students across the world.
His artistic achievements and research have also been documented in dissertations by dancers from various universities, while his compositions have been referenced in Bharatanatyam examination material.
Writer & Cultural Contributor
Manjunath N Puttur has contributed to the field of Bharatanatyam not only as a performer and teacher but also as a writer.
He has written more than 20 articles on Bharatanatyam and dance awareness, with his writings published in platforms including Ananya Magazine, Bengaluru, Roovari Magazine, Mangaluru, and other local newspapers of Karnataka.
He has written more than 20 articles on Bharatanatyam and dance awareness, with his writings published in platforms including Ananya Magazine, Bengaluru, Roovari Magazine, Mangaluru, and other local newspapers of Karnataka.
