KOCHI: Sunil Nellay, a professional bharatanatyam dancer, from Kochi, will receive his doctorate from The Academy of Global Peace, New York University, on June 11. “This PhD is the result of more than two years of research based on the different Bhanis or techniques in bharatanatyam, and the ways to achieve physical and mental fitness through dance,” he says.
However, he had many hurdles to overcome. Young Sunil was the first male bharathanatyam student in R.L.V. Music College, Tripunithara. “Bharatanatyam, which was originally performed by women, had been regarded as something feminine for ages,” he says. “I could not get into insititutions like Kalamandalam simply because I was a boy. But nothing could stop me from pursuing my passion, not even the judgemental eyes which followed me everywhere.”
Other than his immediate family, almost everybody discouraged Sunil from following his dreams. But today, things have changed. “Around 400 boys are studying at R.L.V. College and I can proudly say that I am the pioneer of this change,” he says. He completed his diploma and post diploma from R.L.V in 1992 and post-graduation from M.G University in 2002.
Thanks to his dancing skills, he has won many awards. These include The New York Best Indian Classical Dancer Award (2013), Gurushreshta Award (2013), Natyakala Manikom (2014), State Prathibha Puraskaram (2015), Nrutha Shresta Award from Muscat (2013) and the Natacharya Award (2013).
Sunil performs and conducts bharatanatyam workshops every year in the United States. “Language is never a barrier,” he says. “Bharatanatyam is a universal language. The interest and zeal that audiences show abroad, heartens and inspires me to perform.”
Sunil also wants to contribute to society. “Nrithyam, or expression is central to bharatanatyam,” he says. “And dance should express more than just mythical stories. It should shed light on the various social issues we face today. It is the need of the hour.”
Sunil’s love for dance is shared by his family. His wife, Reshmi Narayanan, is a dancer and Carnatic musician and is teaching at Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kochi. Daughter Malavika M Sunil is a dancer, too, and has acted in popular Malayalam movies like Achuvinte Amma, Rasatantram, Rappakal, Vinodayatra and Innathe Chinthavishayam.
Sunil and his son Madhav are acting in Chechiyamma, a Malayalam television series. All four of them appeared in Bhakthameera, a Carnatic dance musical, based on the mythical story of Krishna and Meera. Sunil’s sister, Kalakshetra Preethi Vinod, who was also his first student, is now a teacher at the Chennai branch of Kalakshestra.