The inaugural edition of Sangeet Natak Akademi's six-day International Festival on Indian Dance, a first-of-its-kind celebration, will take place from October 16 in the national capital, bringing together a diverse group of artists, scholars, and critics.
To be inaugurated by Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the fest is all set to enthrall the audience with Kerala Kalamandalam, Shantha Ratii from Singapore, Taksu Art from Indonesia, Zhyuldyz Dance Ensemble from Kyrgyzstan, Sunanda Nair from the US, Sutra Foundation from Malaysia, and Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy participating at the event.
The festival aims to facilitate discussions on sustainable careers for artists, provide policy recommendations, and promote institutional support for the performing arts.
A broad range of topics related to various Indian dance forms will be explored in 30 closed-door sessions led by distinguished scholars and artists, including Sonal Mansingh, Padma Subrahmanyam, Jaya Rama Rao, Uma Sharma, Raja and Radha Reddy, Padma Sharma, Kiran Segal, and Darshana Jhaveri.
Additionally, celebrated performers like Sonal Mansingh, Rajendra Gangani, and Ramli Ibrahim, along with diverse folk dance groups such as Singari Melam from Kerala, Badan Singh and Group from Bachari, Been Jogi from Haryana, and Banwari Lal and Group from Jaipuri, are set to captivate the audience.
During various sessions, discussions will cover topics like the role of artificial intelligence in dance, CSR funding for artistic initiatives, and economic models to support sustainable livelihoods for performers.
Sandhya Purecha, chairperson, Sangeet Natak Akademi, said "This festival is more than a gathering of artists; it is an effort to bring together philanthropists, government officials, scholars, researchers, and students to explore the economic and social aspects of the arts. Dancers and artists have long struggled with financial constraints, limited institutional support, and the need to adapt to evolving economic realities,“ Purecha said at a press conference here.
