Bala Devi Chandrashekar Curates Sangam Festival of Classical Arts in Chennai

Chennai: The Sangam Festival, founded and curated by Bharatanatyam exponent and scholar Bala Devi Chandrashekar, brought together an inspiring celebration of Indian classical dance and cultural harmony at Kartik Fine Arts, Mylapore, on Tuesday, December 30.

Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Indian classical and South Asian arts, the festival presented a three-part programme highlighting both tradition and innovation in dance.

• Ananta Nartana, by Aayam Institute of Performing Arts, New Delhi, explored expansive ensemble movement and the dynamic possibilities of group choreography.
• Vichitra Pradarshini, presented by Padma Shri Chitra Visweswaran and Sukanya Ravindhar, showcased distinctive creative voices within a classical framework, reflecting diverse contemporary approaches rooted in tradition.
• Meenakshi, by Tejas Nrithyanjali, Arkonam, drew from mythological and devotional narratives, reaffirming the spiritual essence of Bharatanatyam.

Together, these productions underscored the vitality of classical dance as a living art form—rich in heritage, expressive in content, and relevant to modern audiences.

Speaking about the vision behind the festival, Bala Devi Chandrashekar said: “The core mission of Sangam Festival is to establish a convergence of Indian classical music and dance from diverse regions of India and South Asia, while fostering collaboration with artists from global traditions. Beyond performances, the festival contributes to education, mentoring, and digital resources, aspiring to become an authentic source for universities and colleges seeking to enrich their repositories of Indian classical and South Asian performing arts.”

Beyond the Stage: Philanthropy and Cultural Preservation

Over the past 25 years, Bala Devi has raised more than $500,000 for charitable causes across India, the Middle East, and the USA. Her initiatives have supported organizations such as the Trenton Soup Kitchen, Home Front, AIM for SEVA in India, and disaster relief efforts.

She has also championed projects in language preservation and cultural heritage, including efforts to sustain ancient languages like Sanskrit and Tamil. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sangam Festival was among the first to extend crucial support to over 30 classical artists in Chennai and Bangalore.

A Beacon for the Arts

The Sangam Festival continues to serve as a resource hub and platform for artists, scholars, and enthusiasts. By combining performances with lectures, workshops, and scholarly presentations, it fosters deeper engagement with the theory and practice of classical dance, encouraging audiences to seek and share knowledge.

Founded by Bala Devi Chandrashekar, Sangam Festival stands as a beacon of support and promotion for Indian classical and South Asian arts, bridging communities across India and the USA.