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Sangam Festival is an organization to preserve, promote, and present works of world-class Indian classical artists and South Asian Arts – dance and music. Sangam Festival is also an organization promoted by Bharatanatyam exponent and scholar Bala Devi Chandrashekar & Chandru Balaraman an entrepreneur. Sangam Festival will constantly attempt to establish the confluence of Indian classical music and dance from all parts of India and South Asia, whilst constantly exploring the possibility of collaborating with artists from other world traditions as well.
Sangam Festival is a quality art initiative and serves as a top-quality resource repository of knowledge, promotion, reference, and pillar of support for the arts community in the USA andIndia. Sangam Festival strives to educate and instill in the community a sense of appreciation of genuine classical Indian and South Asian performing arts of world-class standards and strives to combine it with the spirit of social responsibility and community service. Activities will include performances, lectures, workshops, Digital resources, Mentoring, and financial support for artists. Sangam Festival will be an authentic source for Universities and colleges to augment their Indian Classical, South Asian performing repository through expertise, resource, and Knowledge sharing. Sangam Festival has plans to tie up with premier arts organizations across the world to facilitate residential exchange programs.
Guru Lakshmi Vishwanathan is a Bharatanatyam dancer, a prime disciple of Guru Kanjeevaram Elappa Pillai, steeped in the culture of TANJAVUR. She has widened her horizon in the field of art by not only performing in India and more than ten countries abroad in prestigious forums but also using her erudite scholarship to reach many people with her engaging articles in art journals, newspapers, and dance portals. Her insightful authorship of acclaimed books such as Bharatanatyam the Tamil Heritage; Women of Pride the Devadasi Heritage; KapaliswaraTemple, have earned her a special place in the world of dance. Her film ‘The Poetry of Dance’ was commissioned by the Festival of India. As a mentor and teacher, she has contributed to the training of students. A respected artist of the renaissance of dance in India, she brings to her audience, a special amalgam of intellect, innovation, and attractive poise. Many awards and titles have been conferred on Lakshmi, including the National Sangeet Natak Akademi award and the prestigious Kalidas Samman award recently at the inauguration of the Khajuraho Dance Festival.
Vidha Lal – KATHAK – a multi-faceted Kathak Exponent is a disciple of Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Guru Smt. Geetanjali Lal ji of Jaipur Gharana. Vidha holds a master’s degree with distinction and Gold medalist from Indira Kala Vishwa Vidyalaya Khairagarh, Chattisgarh.
Vidha started her Kathak training at the National Institute of Kathak, Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, and then pursued further training in Guru Shishya parampara under the tutelage of Guru Geetanjali Lal. Vidha Lal is an empanelled artist from ICCR AND an ‘A’ graded artist from Delhi Doordarshan. Awards: Vidha Lal is conferred with Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by central Sangeet Natak Akademi,
Sridevi Nrithyalaya – Ahobilam Ahobalam
Event Details:
1. 31st Dec, 10am to 1pm: SANGAM FESTIVAL – Kartik Fine Arts, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan , Mylapore
2. 10am – 11am: Guru Lakshmi Vishwanathan presents An Illustrated talk on Thanjavur Bani-Lec Dem cum performance
3. 11am – 12pm: Performance by Kathak exponent Vidha Lal
4. 12pm – 1pm: Sridevi Nrithyalaya presents ‘Ahobilam! Ahobalam!’ choreographed by Sheela Unnikrishnan
Date: Saturday, 31st December 2022
Venue: At Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, East Mada Street, Mylapore, Chennai 600004
More info: www.sangamfestival.org, supported by Bala Devi Chandrashekar & Chandru Balaraman
