Guru Interview
About Guru
Guru. Gnana sakthivel was born on 26/02/1967 to the couple T.Gnanam and Natchiammal who belonged to the tradition of Isaivelalar. He began his journey of fine arts in 1985 as the prime disciple of Guru. Mrs. Lalitha sangararaman who was born and brought in Bangalore but settled in Palani after her marriage. He had been learning the basics of “Vaipaattu” and “Bharatha natiyam” until 1990. Later, he joined the Gurukulam which was run by Trichy Guru. Kalaimamani. R. Thayumanavan. Under the guidance of Valankaimaan K. Thiyakarajan, the disciple of Trichy Guru. Kalaimamani. R. Thayumanavan, he was trained in Vaipattu by Guru. V. Rengarajan (vaipattu), Guru. Mrs. Ambujam vethaandam (vaipattu), Guru. Late. Mr. Gopinath, Thenoor Guru. Natarajan (vaipattu), Guru. Thanjavur Srinivasaiyyar (vaipattu) and Palani Guru. S. Lakshmi narashimaiyyar (vaipattu).
He was trained in Miruthangam by Guru. Mr. D.S.Thakshinamoothi pillai, the grandson of Pudhukai Miruthangam, Kanchira ‘Mamethai’ ‘Mahavidhvan’ Srilasri Thakshinamoothi pillai and also by Guru. Mr. K. Thiyakarajan. He was trained in Natiyam and Nattuvangam by Guru. Kalaimamani. Mr. B. Herambanathan in Thanjavur Pavu pillai dance academy. Later, he was trained in Thalam by Pudhukai Thirukokarnam, “kalaimamani” Guru. K. Chellaiyapillai.
Having worked as a coach of music, dance and arts in Vairam Matriculation School, Pudhukai for 4 years, and as a music teacher in Jeyagopal Garodia Matriculation School, West Mambalam, Chennai and in G.R.T. Mahalakshmi Matriculation School, Ashoknagar, Chennai, he and his wife Mrs. Srividhya began the institute called “Gurukula Sabha” to teach Music and Dance in 2000 in Palani. He has been a successful coach as well as a performer since then. The specialty of training is that the students become the teachers eventually.
