Bala Devi Chandrashekar Presents the ‘Sangam Festival’ by Kartik Fine Arts: A Celebration of Indian Classical Arts and Cultural Harmony

Sangam Festival, an organization committed to the preservation, promotion, and showcasing of exceptional Indian classical artists and South Asian arts, to host a comprehensive three-part festival on Tuesday, December 30th, 2025, at Kartik Fine Arts, Mylapore, Chennai.

Established and championed by Bharatanatyam exponent and scholar Bala Devi Chandrashekar, Sangam Festival transcends mere artistic pursuits; it serves as an extensive resource center, offering knowledge, promotion, references, and unwavering support to the arts community in both the USA and India.

The latest edition of the ‘Sangam Festival’ brings together a thoughtfully curated set of productions that reflect the breadth and vitality of India’s classical dance traditions. Ananta Nartana, presented by Aayam Institute of Performing Arts, New Delhi, celebrates expansive ensemble movement and the dynamic possibilities of group choreography. Vichitra Pradarshini, presented by Padma Shri Chitra Visweswaran and Sukanya Ravindhar, showcases distinctive creative voices within a classical framework, highlighting the diversity of contemporary approaches rooted in tradition.

Completing the programme is Meenakshi, presented by Tejas Nrithyanjali, Arkonam, which draws from mythological and devotional narratives to reflect the enduring spiritual core of classical dance. Together, these productions foreground both continuity and innovation, demonstrating how classical dance continues to evolve while remaining deeply anchored in tradition. The diversity of themes, choreographic approaches, and ensemble work makes the festival accessible and engaging for a wide audience, affirming classical dance as a living art form—rich in heritage, expressive in content, and relevant to contemporary audiences.

Speaking about her inspiration on latest edition of the ‘Sangam Festival’, Bala Devi Chandrashekar, Bharatanatyam Exponent said, “The core mission of Sangam Festival was to establish a convergence of Indian classical music and dance from diverse regions of India and South Asia, fostering collaboration with artists from global traditions. The organization actively contributes to education, instilling an appreciation for genuine classical Indian and South Asian performing arts. Sangam Festival’s activities encompass performances, lectures, workshops, digital resources, mentoring, and financial support for artists. Additionally, the festival aspires to become an authentic source for universities and colleges seeking to enrich their repositories of Indian Classical and South Asian performing arts.”

Bala Devi Chandrashekar, leveraging her talent in Bharatanatyam, has successfully raised over $500,000 for charitable causes across India, the Middle East, and the USA over the past 25 years. Her commitment to positive societal impact is evident through support for causes such as the Trenton Soup Kitchen, an old age home in Montgomery, New Jersey, Home Front, AIM for SEVA in India, and contributions to disaster relief efforts.

In addition to her philanthropic endeavours, Bala Devi actively contributes to education, language preservation, and cultural heritage initiatives. This includes projects focused on preserving ancient languages like Sanskrit and Tamil. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bala Devi Chandrashekar and Sangam Festival were the first to extend crucial support to over 30 classical artists in Chennai and Bangalore.

Sangam Festival aspires to provide a model of substantial learning for all participants. Recognizing the imperative to kindle interest in the theory and practice of dance for practitioners and art enthusiasts, the festival emphasizes the joy of sharing each artist’s work. The convergence of scholarly presentations and performances aims to empower participants, sparking a desire to seek and crave more knowledge. About Sangam Festival:

Sangam Festival is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and presenting world-class Indian classical artists and South Asian arts. Founded by Bharatanatyam exponent Bala Devi Chandrashekar, the festival is a beacon of support, knowledge, and promotion for the arts community in the USA and India.

PROGRAM:

1. Ananta Nartanapresented by Aayam Institute of Performing Arts, New Delhi
2. Vichitra Pradarshini, presented byPadma Shri Chitra Visweswaran and Sukanya Ravindhar
3. Meenakshi, presented byTejas Nrithyanjali, Arkonam