Sangeetha Natya Mahotsavam 2023

 

After a three-year long hiatus, we are excited to usher in the summer with a festival of Indian classical dance and music.

For the first time ever, the festival will be held outdoors in the recently transformed Vriksha Bhairava Kshetram of the Richmond Sai Temple. In the event of inclement weather, the festival will be conducted in the Sai Temple Hall as in previous years.

All students of the Indian classical arts are invited to perform. Register here to participate - registration closes on June 9th (or earlier, if all slots fill up).

On June 17th, Carnatic vocalist Sri Vignesh Nurani Subramanian from Maryland will be conducting a lecture-demo on the "Compositions of Sri Koteeswara Iyer." The evening will close with a full margam performance by NJ-based Bharatanatyam artist Sri Kiran Rajagopalan, who will be presenting original choreographies. Additionally, the morning performances will feature music students and the afternoon performances will feature dance students.

On June 18th, dance educators from across the region will be presenting an Abhinaya Showcase. The dance performances will close with a performance by Bharatanatyam artiste Sri Sheejith Krishna, the Director of Chennai-based Sahrdaya Foundation, an arts organization for the study, research, and teaching of Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, theatre, poetry, and art.

The featured musical concert on June 18th will be by Virginia-based Carnatic vocalist and veena artist Sri Hari Kappiyoor. He is presenting a Sampradaya Kacheri on the Veena. He will be accompanied by violinist Sahana Sreeram and mridangist Vijay Ganesh. This is the first instrumental featured performance at the Sangeetha Natya Mahotsavam. Additionally, the morning performances will feature dance students and the afternoon performances will feature music students.

The Sangeetha Natya Mahotsavam, like all ICAPS programming, is a volunteer-based effort. Those interested in volunteering for this festival can sign up for slots here.

Admission is free for the audience and refreshments will be available for purchase at the venue.

Spread the word, bring your friends and enjoy a weekend of sensory bliss.