Sangeet Natak Akademi to host first International festival on Indian dance

The Sangeet Natak Akademi is set to host its inaugural International Festival on Indian Dance from October 16 to October 21, promising a rich mix of scholarly discussions and captivating performances.

To begin tomorrow

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• The International Festival on Indian Dance will be held from October 16 to October 21
• It will feature closed-door seminars each morning from 9 am to 4 pm, followed by evening performances at the Kimani Auditorium from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
• With a budget of around Rs 4 crore, the event is poised to attract notable attendees such as Hema Malini, Padma Subrahmanyam and Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, among others
• The festival will also tackle contemporary issues such as the role of artificial intelligence in dance, CSR funding for artistic initiatives and sustainable economic models for performers.

At a curtain raiser press conference on Monday, Sandhya Purecha, Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, shared insights into the event’s preparation. “The discussions for this festival began in July. We sent out invitations for abstract submissions in August, and within just 15 days, we received over 800 abstracts in various languages. From these, we shortlisted 400 for presentation during the six-day seminar,” Purecha stated.

The festival will feature closed-door seminars each morning from 9 am to 4 pm, followed by evening performances at the Kimani Auditorium from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm. “This festival is more than a gathering of artists; it aims to unite philanthropists, government officials, scholars, researchers and students to explore the economic and social aspects of the arts,” Purecha emphasised. “Through open conversations, we hope to generate actionable insights and policy recommendations that will shape the future of India’s art and culture.”

Uma Nanduri, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, also highlighted the festival’s significance, stating, “This platform will allow Indian and foreign artists to discuss various aspects of dance, including technical, financial and behavioural elements.”

With a budget of around Rs 4 crore allocated for the festival, which includes artist travel and accommodation, the event is poised to attract notable attendees such as Hema Malini, Padma Subrahmanyam and Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, among others.

The festival will also tackle contemporary issues such as the role of artificial intelligence in dance, CSR funding for artistic initiatives and sustainable economic models for performers. “This festival is not just about performances; it’s about creating a supportive ecosystem where artists can connect, share challenges and work on sustainable solutions,” said Raju Das, Secretary, Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Additionally, two exhibitions will be held during the festival. One at Lalit Kala Akademi will showcase the evolution of Indian dance, while another at the AP Shinde Symposium Hall will highlight the achievements of participating artists.

The inaugural ceremony will take place on Wednesday at the AP Shinde Symposium Hall, NASC Complex, Pusa, and will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

With participation from over 16 countries, the festival aims to explore new opportunities beyond traditional performances.