Kalāmārga Nrityotsava: A Celebration of Classical Dance
We believe storytelling transcends boundaries. Kalāmārga Nrityotsava, our annual dance festival at the Mandala Cultural Centre, brings together the grace of Bharatanatyam with our rich cultural heritage.
Glimpses from the Kalāmārga Nrityotsava, our classical dance festival. Here, you see excerpts from Bharatanatyam performances that are an integral part of our cultural celebrations. We believe dance and puppetry are sister arts, both telling stories through movement and expression.
The official invitation for the third edition of the Kalāmārga Nrityotsava in 2024, featuring three unique thematic presentations by talented dancers.
A poster for 'Shringara Sharanagati', a solo production by Divya Hoskere. This revised version delves deeper into the love story of Krishna and the Gopikas, aiming to provide the audience with an experience of 'rasānanda'.
The premiere show announcement for 'Shringara Sharanagati' by Divya Hoskere, as part of the 2023 dance festival. The performance is based on the enchanting stories from the Srimad Bhagavatam.
Smt. Nirupama Rajendra extends a warm invitation to her solo Bharatanatyam performance based on verses from Sri Krishna Karnamrutam. Her recital was a highlight of the 2023 Kalāmārga Nrityotsava.
A poster announcing the performance of 'Sri Krishna Karnamritam' by the world-renowned dance exponent, Smt. Nirupama Rajendra.
An announcement for a Bharatanatyam recital by Divya Hoskere, disciple of Sri P Praveen Kumar, at the 2022 Nrityotsava.
About this collection
Our performances are hosted in Vasantavana, our dedicated garden theatre, which offers a unique, intimate setting for classical arts. Since we curate every show to provide a genuine experience of rasānanda, we recommend securing donor passes early for the front rows, as standard seating fills up quickly on a first-come basis.
The Kalāmārga Nrityotsava is more than just a performance series, it is a deliberate attempt to place dance within the wider context of our cultural ecosystem. Held annually as the grand finale to our Dhaatu Navaratra Mahotsava doll festival, these performances serve as a bridge between the visual narrative of puppets and the human expression of dance.
We feature solo thematic Bharatanatyam recitals from both renowned and upcoming artists. By selecting themes from the Srimad Bhagavatam and other epics, we aim to offer audiences a deeper connection to the verses and emotions behind the choreography.
Our venue, the Mandala Cultural Centre near the Silk Institute Metro station, was designed to keep the audience close to the artist. Whether you are attending a premiere performance of 'Shringara Sharanagati' or a traditional recital, the intimacy of the space ensures you can observe the subtle abhinaya (expression) and rhythm that define classical dance. We encourage visitors to check our event schedules, as we host special guest performances, inaugurations by distinguished scholars, and community-focused gatherings throughout the Navaratra season.
Dhaatu Puppet Theater
Dhaatu is a family-run institution, and we see dance and puppetry as sister arts that both serve as vessels for our shared stories. Every recital we host at our center is a reflection of our commitment to classical traditions and the art of storytelling.
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