Mamallapuram Dance festival- Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu Once the ancient port of the Pallavas, Mamallapuram plays host to a vibrant festival of Dance. Exponents of Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Kathakali performed against the magnificent backdrop of the Pallava Rock Sculpture. Mamallapuram Dance Festival is organized during the months of January and February in the city of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu.

This event witnesses performances on the Indian classical dances such as the Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Kathakali.The prominent people from their respected fields gather for this cultural event that is also promoted by theTamil Nadu Tourism Department as one of the major cultural attraction to these parts of India. This four week Mamallapuram Dance Festival is held at the venue of Arjuna's penance, a bass-relief sculpted on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, in Mamallapuram. The magnificent backdrop that is provided by the Pallava Rock Sculptures provide an aesthetic touch to this cultural dance festival. The open-air stage and the dancers from far and wide come to watch the best folk dancers in India perform in front of them under the open skies in an open-air theatre style ambience. This open-air stage was created about thirteen centuries ago, the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram.

As many as 14 films would be screened in the Indian and Malayalam Cinema categories at the International Film Festival of Kerala -2009 (IFFK), which would begin on December 11 here.''Kolkata My Love'' (Bengali) by Gautam Gosh, 'Harichandras Factory'' (Marathi) by Paresh Mohashi, ''Just one Chance'' (Hindi) by Sayd Mirza, Jayadip Ghosh's ''Mayabazar'' (Bengali), Sunil Kumar Reddy's ''Native Village'' (Telugu), Sachin Kundelkar's ''Gandh'' (Maraathi) and Umesh Kulkarni's ''The Well'' (Marathi) would be screened in the Indian Cinema Section.''Kerala Caf'' (Ranjith), ''Bhumi Malayalam'' (T V Chandran), ''Raamaanam'' (M P Sukumaran Nair), ''Oorkkuka Vallappozhum'' (Sohan Lal), ''Rithu'' (Syamaprasad), ''Pakal Nak 2009-2010

Mamallapuram, once the ancient port of Pallavas and world famous for its shore temple is situated 58km south of Chennai. It is famous for its monolithic rock sculptures, cave and stone temples. The combination of old 7^th and 8^th century Pallava carvings, temples and wonderful beaches make the place a beautiful tourist destination.

A vibrant festival of dance is held at the venue of 'Arjuna's penance', a bass-relief sculpted on the face two enormous adjacent rocks, in Mamallapuram from early January for four weeks. Exponents of classical dances like Bharata Natyam,Kuchipudi, Kathak, Kathakali etc. perform in an open air stage against the magnificent backdrop of the Pallava rock sculptures. Besides classical, folk dances are also performed. Dancers from different parts of India perform during this festival. The renowned festival is organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu

DANCE FESTIVAL AT MAMALLAPURAM

Celebrated In : Mamallapuram/Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu Falls on : December 25 to Feb. 1st week. Celebrated on : All Saturdays and Government Holidays

The internationally acclaimed and globally renowned "Mamallapuram Dance Festival" is organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu every year in Mamallapuram - the renowned and ancient 7th century centre for Pallava culture and arts.

The Dance festival starts on the 25th of December every year and is conducted on all Saturdays and Government holidays, upto February first week. Dancers and musicians of repute from India and abroad thrill the crowds every year. Folk dances of India are an added attraction.

An Ancient Open Arena Sit before an open-air 'stage' created 13 centuries ago, the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram. Lovers of dance will be treated to a very unique and unforgettably aesthetic event: Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi, presented by the very best exponents of the art besides folk danc