Nrityagram is community of dancer in a forsaken place amidst nature.

A place
where nothing exists, except dance. It was designed by Gerard da cunha, following
the vernacular architecture of the region.
It is in north western part of Bangalore about 30 kms from hebbal

Site Area: 4 ha
Location-Hessaraghatta, oulskirts of northwestern Bangalore

Completion- Inaugurated in 1990

Vicinity: Hessaraghatta village,cut off front main city.

Architect: Gerard Da Cunha. The buildings are built from mud giving the feel of a
village. open areas have large green cover and many trees dot the place.

Functions: Nrityagram is a Gurukul based residential dance school in list- form of

a dance village. Currently it offers residential courses in Odissi and Kathak and
plans to expand its gurukul to the 7 classical dances of India. The gurus and
students work together and grow their own food.

Component- the gurukul is a place of holistic living. It composes the Odissi

Gurukul, Kathak Gurukul, Mohiniattam Gurukul, a temple, yoga centre,
Amphitheatre, Admin Block, Guest Cottages, Dormitories and various Gardens.

"A place where nothing exists except dance. A place where you breathe, eat. sleep,
dream, talk, imagine -dance"- Protima Gauri
.
ACCESSIBILITY: The nearest bus stop is the Hessaraghatta village stop, from
there an auto ride takes one to Nrityagram.

"The dream of building a community for dancers in a forsaken place amidst nature.
A place where nothing exists except dance. A place where you breathe, eat. sleep,
dream, talk, imagine -dance. A place where all the 5 senses can be refined to
perfection. A place where dancers drops negative qualities such as Jealousy,small
mindedness, greed and molice to embrace their colleagues as sister and support
each other in their journey towards becoming dancers of merit.'' A place called
Nrityagram- Protima Gauri

Traditional form of Design-

 Organic Masterplan with the architecture having origin in traditional forms and
construction.
Different types of construction for different Gurukuls
To Avoid disturbances Gurukuls are placed separate and O.A.T kept at end.
Common Dinig and Yoga Centre are placed at centre

Construction-
Willful agglomeration of stone,mud,tile and thatch.
All external walls are mud plastered
Three types of roof pattern
Flat rough granite slabs
Manglore tile
Thatch pitched

Classrooms-
A hall attached with residence is used for teaching-odissi and mohiniattam
gurukuls have closed walls with small window openings only for ventilation and
light is from courtyard.
Kathak Gurukula has semi open arched walls.

The entire complex is actually a garden. Most of the food from fruits and
vegetables to grains and dal even olive trees are grown.There are many sculptures
are used as landscaping element.