A celebration of classical performing arts

The Society for the Upliftment of National Arts of India (SUNAINA) is all set to present the 11th edition of 'Indradhanush Dilli', a six-day festival of Indian classical arts, commenced on November 7 and will conclude on November 12 in new Delhi.

Its founder and Bharatanatyam guru Kanaka Sudhakar share the details on completing 25 years of SUNAINA and about Indradhanush Dilli.

"This festival started as a youth festival of three evenings where my objective was to give exposure to youth professionals who have been taking the arts of classical dance to higher levels, in this world of tough competition in academics and employment."

"To keep this art alive by regular practice and excellent presentations was something I really wanted to bring out. Also, as a research worker and head of Kala Khoj, I wanted to bring out the mysteries and benefits that lie underneath the practice of the classical dance forms. So, this festival started with a seminar on the therapeutic values of Indian classical dances on the mind and body of a learner," Sudhakar said.

In 2014, the festival joined hands with the Department of Disabilities, Ministry of Social Empowerment and Justice, to invite performers who were differently abled. The festival now sees the participation of the hearing impaired, visually impaired and orthopaedically impaired.

What's new this year?

As per the organisers, the festival will take in four venues simultaneously -- Delhi Tamil Sangam, Sabari Mandap, Lok Kala Manch and Muktadhara Auditorium.

"This time we have introduced the first generation of artists to perform before the youth artists. Guru Geeta Chandra and Guru Bharati Shivaji will be performing this year. We are giving the Guru Samman award to Padmashree Geetanjali Lal, Guru Santosh Nair, Seetha Nagajyoti and TV Manikandan."

The Paras Mani of this year will go to Guru Alpana Nayak.

"This year we are inviting youth professional choreographers who have created their own choreography and shown to the world how art can grow and develop. Some of the interesting choreographies this year are 'Hari Hara' by the famous duo Abhimanyu and Vidha Lal, 'Sama Gana Priyane' by my performance troupe, 'Shoonya' by Pritpal Singh dance culture group, 'Besties' by Studio Chakraborty and an unusual duet by Rateesh Babu, and 'Shiva Tarangam' by Abhinaya.

Indradhanush Dilli will start with a seminar, where senior research scholars will talk on their work on various facets of arts. It also features a programme Kala Dhwani in which child prodigies will give performances. "This year a young girl Mrinmayee from Bhilai will perform Bharatanatyam and Aditya will perform Kathakali."