Welcome to Chella Natyalaya

Where every beat becomes a story, and every student finds their rhythm.

Chella Natyalaya is more than a dance school — it’s a sanctuary of cultural discovery, artistic discipline, and spiritual connection. After performing in India’s sacred spaces for over a decade and training students across continents, I (Gayatri Packiarajan) envisioned a space where dance could shape not just skill, but character and consciousness.

Originally launched in India on October 26, 2020, and now recognized in Sweden, Chella Natyalaya is a vibrant haven where young minds and bodies — ages 4 to 16 — embark on a transformative journey through the classical art of Bharatanatyam.

How Our Students Transform at Chella Natyalaya

Bharatanatyam is not just something they learn — it becomes part of who they are.

At Chella Natyalaya, every student begins their journey with curiosity and innocence. But as they move, learn, and grow through the discipline of Bharatanatyam, something profound happens — they evolve into focused, expressive, and self-aware individuals with a deep spiritual connection to themselves and their heritage.

Whether they are just four years old and learning their first adavus, or preparing for their Arangetram, our students develop not just technique, but character, confidence, and consciousness.

Here’s how our students blossom:

💠 They Build Discipline

Through structured repetition, weekly practice, and the patient refinement of each movement, our students develop mental focus, self-control, and a love for precision — traits that support success in all areas of life.

💪 They Strengthen Their Body

From posture correction to coordination drills, our training improves stamina, flexibility, and physical awareness. Students feel stronger, more energized, and more in tune with their body.

🧠 They Sharpen Their Mind

Learning sequences, jathis, and rhythm cycles demands focus and memory. Our students develop sharper attention spans and quicker recall — skills that benefit both schoolwork and creative thinking.

🎭 They Become Creatively Expressive

Through storytelling, abhinaya, and improvisation, our students learn to express themselves in ways words cannot. They discover their voice through movement, building artistic imagination and emotional fluency.

❤️ They Learn Emotional Intelligence

Each rasa (emotion) they embody teaches them to identify, feel, and express their own emotions with honesty and empathy. They develop emotional maturity and deep compassion.

🪷 They Develop Cultural Pride

Our classes immerse students in the rich traditions of Indian classical art — from mythology and Sanskrit to music and mudras — creating a sense of identity and reverence for their roots.

🧘 They Cultivate Spiritual Awareness

Through devotional storytelling and meditative practice, our students begin to see dance not as performance, but as prayer in motion. They connect with the divine — within and beyond.

🌟 They Radiate Confidence

Performing on stage, leading warm-ups, sharing their stories — our students learn to present themselves with poise and clarity. They gain confidence, communication skills, and a readiness to shine.

🧬 They Connect Mind, Body, and Soul

Above all, our students learn to live in alignment. Dance becomes their sanctuary — a space where the mind thinks clearly, the body moves freely, and the spirit feels deeply. This holistic growth is what makes their journey truly transformative.

What Parents and Students Say

“Bharatanatyam was just a curiosity for my daughter, but now it’s her passion. She looks forward to class every week, and I’ve seen her grow into a confident, graceful young girl.”
— Parent of an 8-year-old student, Foundation course

“I used to be really shy on stage. But after performing at the cultural fest with my dance group, I felt proud and brave. I even spoke to the audience!”
— 11-year-old student, Beginners Level 2 Course

“Gayatri akka doesn't just teach steps — she teaches meaning, patience, and self-respect. My child listens better and reflects more since joining the school.”
— Parent of a 9-year-old student, Intermediate Level Course

“When I was a child, it took me over 13 years of Bharatanatyam training before I ever stepped onto a stage. But under Gayatri's guidance, I was amazed to see my daughter perform confidently even during her very first foundation course! The way she blends structure with encouragement is truly special. She brings out the dancer in every child — not years later, but from day one.”
— Parent of a 6-year-old Foundation Level student

“Learning the stories behind each dance has helped me understand who I am. It’s not just about moving — it’s about feeling something deep.”
— Teen student, Intermediate Level Course

“As a parent living outside India, I worried my kids would miss out on our cultural values. But Chella Natyalaya has filled that gap — beautifully and meaningfully.”
— Parent of two students (ages 6 and 10, Foundation level Course, Intermediate Level Course)

“She hums the shlokas while doing homework now. I never expected dance to bring her so much focus and joy.”
— Parent of a 7-year-old student, Beginners Level -1 course

“Dance used to make me nervous. Now, it helps me feel calm — like I’m telling a story without words.”
— 13-year-old student, Advanced Level Course

About me

Hi, I’m Gayatri Packiarajan, the founder of Chella Natyalaya, and a devoted practitioner of Bharatanatyam with over 21 years of experience as a dancer and more than 5 years as a teacher and mentor.

Dance has been a sacred thread in my life — an inheritance of devotion, discipline, and expression. I began my journey under the loving guidance of my mother, Dr. Rameswari Raman, and completed my Arangetram under the mentorship of Smt. Kalai Selvi Krishnamoorthy, who honored me with the Nrithya Saadhika Award for my dedication to this classical tradition.

From 2004 to 2017, I had the unique blessing of performing in devotional dance-dramas for the Sri Ramana Ratha Yatra, through Ramana Kendram, Madurai, under the guidance of Dr. Kalarani Rengasamy. These experiences shaped my understanding of dance as a powerful form of spiritual storytelling. Since 2023, I’ve been offering my dance as devotion for Lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra through ISKCON Gothenburg, continuing my path of sacred performance in a global context.

Though I am an engineer by profession, I’ve always been a dancer by soul. With Chella Natyalaya, now based in Sweden, my vision is to train young minds to offer devotion through dance and help them connect spiritually with themselves through the practice of Bharatanatyam. I offer both online and offline classes and have had the joy of training over 75 students around the world in the past five years.

In addition to teaching and performing, I am also the author of Stop Feeding the Ego: Discovering Lord Shiva as the True Self, available on Amazon. Through my writing and my dance, I aim to create spaces for reflection, devotion, and inner transformation.

Through every movement, every gesture, and every story, I strive to keep the sacred essence of Bhakti, cultural heritage, and self-realization alive — and to share this divine art with seekers across the world.

Let's talk

Listening to your feedback and reading your comments makes me very happy. Contact me if you have any questions, comments, information. I will get back to you shortly. Remember that you can also follow me on my social networks or write to my email: gayatripackiarajan@gmail.com