Renaissance: A festival of dance

Tapasaya Foundation, in collaboration with Lightsense Art Foundation, is thrilled to announce the upcoming dance festival, “Renaissance” scheduled to take place at Triveni Auditorium in Mandi House, Delhi, on April 12, 2024. Festival directors Milind Srivastav and Ajay Bhatt are excited to unveil their vision and purpose behind organising this cultural extravaganza.

The primary objective of the “Renaissance” dance festival is to promote art and culture within society, with a special focus on uplifting the weaker sections who possess immense talent but lack the financial means to showcase their artistry. This festival serves as a platform to empower young artists and provide them with the opportunity to exhibit their dance talents and hard work.

The lineup for the festival promises a captivating blend of traditional and contemporary dance performances. Dr Pallavi Lohani will mesmerise the audience with her Kathak performance depicting the essence of Devi Durga. Renowned Kathak artists, including Himani Gautam, Gaurav Javda, and Deepak Javda, under the guidance of Dr Rekha Mehra, will present a spellbinding “Taraana,” showcasing various techniques of the Kathak dance form.

Sushant Maharana, an acclaimed Odissi dancer, will showcase the rich heritage of Odissi through his performance titled “Dashavatar.” Additionally, Sangeeta Mohanty will enchant the audience with her rendition of “Devi Stuti” through the mesmerising movements of Odissi dance.

The festival will also feature a captivating Chhau dance performance by Mayurbhanjh Chhau artists Abhishek and Anurag, presenting a duet performance on “Geeta Updesh” from the epic Mahabharata. Nikhil Pal, another talented Chhau dancer, will present a traditional dance item titled “Dandi,” narrating the story of a boy’s journey into manhood and his path to becoming a celibate saint.

Collaborating organisations such as Urvashi Dance Music Art and Cultural Society and Amoli are instrumental in ensuring the success of the festival, contributing to its vision of celebrating and preserving the rich tapestry of Indian art and culture.

“Renaissance” promises to be a celebration of talent, diversity, and inclusivity, showcasing the beauty and depth of Indian classical dance forms while providing a platform for emerging artists to shine.

When: April 12, 2024

Where: Triveni Auditorium, Mandi House, Delhi