CELEBRATE MALE DANCERS AT SHIVAARGHYA: A GOLDEN JUBILEE EVENT BY GANESA NATYALAYA
Join for Shivaarghya, a festival celebrating male dancers, hosted by Ganesa Natyalaya, the renowned Bharatanatyam institution founded by Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan.
This special event, part of the Swarna Saroja festival marking the golden jubilee of Ganesa Natyalaya, will take place on Sunday, 23rd February 2025, from 2 PM to 8 PM at Ganesa Natyalaya, C-16, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi.
Curated by the renowned dancer Rama Vaidyanathan, Shivaarghya features 18 talented dancers from across India, showcasing eight traditional Indian dance forms, including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Manipuri, Marg Natya, Odissi and Sattriya.
This initiative, started in 2018 by the late Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan, aims to provide a platform for young male dancers who have chosen dance as their full-time profession.
The festival promises to highlight the excellence, perseverance, and versatility of male classical dancers. Over the past 10 months, Ganesa Natyalaya has successfully hosted 30+ events in India and abroad, celebrating the power of dance to inspire and transform.
Artists Participating the Festival
- Bharatanatyam: Dr. S Vasudevan, Dr. Himanshu Srivastava, Vinay Tiwari, Pritam Das, Nilava Sen, Bharat Gangadhar Devanpalli, Vidhun Kumar, Binesh Mahadevan, and Poojith Menon
- Kathak: Akash Dwivedi, Vishavdeep Sharma, Tribhuban Maharaj, and Gaurav Bhatti
- Kuchipudi: Venkat Deekshitulu
- Mohiniyattam: Ajeesh Menon
- Manipuri: Dr. Sinam Basu Singh
- Marg Natya: Akash Mallick
- Odissi: Sanjeev Kumar Jena
- Sattriya: Dr. Bhabananda Barbayan
EMBRACING THE DIVINE DANCE
Shivaarghya is more than just a festival; it is a heartfelt tribute to the profound connection between dance and spirituality, embodied by Shiva, the ultimate dancer known as Nataraja. This celebration showcases male dancers who, through dedication and artistry, honor the timeless tradition of Indian classical dance while pushing its boundaries. By embracing the divine energy that flows through each performance, Shivaarghya reminds us of the sacred bond between dance, devotion and the eternal dance of life.
“Promoting male dancers in classical Indian dance forms is crucial to preserving and enriching our cultural heritage. Dance transcends gender, and it is our duty to provide equal opportunities for all artists,” shares Smt. Rama Vaidyanathan, President of Ganesa Natyalaya.
“From its humble beginnings, Ganesa Natyalaya has grown into a vibrant cultural hub of Bharatanatyam dance, with over 315 Arangetrams and global affiliations. The institution also collaborates with NGOs to provide training to underprivileged students, truly embodying the spirit of inclusive and diverse artistry,” she added.
WITNESS THE BRILLIANCE OF MALE DANCERS AND BE A PART OF THE GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. ENTRY IS OPEN TO ALL.
