Performing arts lessons from anywhere in the world: Natya app offers courses at convenience

Kozhikode: There are many justifications one hears from people for not pursuing a hobby or an interest. Most of these outline reasons like the lack of time or the ‘age’ factor. As an answer to all this, Mizhavu artist Kalamandalam Shivaprasad envisioned ‘Natya’ in 2020. Natya learning app is a platform to incorporate interest in arts at one’s own convenience. This is perhaps the first dedicated e-learning platform for performing arts.

Natya offers courses for beginners in classical arts such as Bharatnatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Chenda, Carnatic music, etc. More than 10,000 students are enrolled on Natya’s app. It also provides online live classes as well as offline classes to those who prefer these methods. 

Such an inspired thought came to Shivaprasad after meeting many art enthusiasts who never had the chance to or dropped their studies mid way due to life circumstances. They complained of the various obstacles on the path to learning like time, space and convenience. Shivaprasad then went on to create a proper way to bring art learning to people’s living rooms. Kalakshetra Anjaly, Shivaprasad’s wife, is one of Natya’s main charioteers.

Natya employs a team of 25 people including teachers and staff. The curriculum for training has been prepared by Kalakshetra Anjaly in her alma mater’s style. 

Initially, only recorded classes were offered and Anjaly was the sole teacher. After this, another teacher joined and currently there are 15 artists teaching Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Carnatic music, Kathak and Yoga.

Since every student deserves personal attention, Natya conducts classes for a group of students that can be seen on screen at a time. This is the reason why they have under 600 online learners, Shivaprasad opined. With Covid-19 lockdowns, the confusion about the efficacy of online classes faded and Natya thrived.

Natya’s investment was Shivaprasad’s own savings and a grant from Kerala Startup Mission. He made use of social media to advertise and was surprised at the wholehearted acceptance of this novel idea.

Natya also has many students from outside Kerala enrolled. There are also children living in countries like the US, Canada, Czech republic, Israel, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The students belong to an age group ranging from 5-65. Offline classes are also offered at the Natya campus in Mankavu. 

After three years of offering training, Natya is preparing for the “Arangettam’ of its first batch. The students who learned dance sitting in various corners of the world will come together at Valayanad Devi Temple in Kozhikode this December.