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 Kalasri celebrates 50 years Premiere of Kala Chakra Theater Basel Jan 7 & 10, 2026 Basel, Switzerland December 2, 2025 50 Years of Kalasri - 'Kala Chakra' To mark its 50th anniversary, Kalasri condenses its story into a new form: the dance and music theater 'Kala Chakra - The Wheel of Time.' This production takes audiences on a journey through time, space, and identity, interwoven with mythological and biographical narratives. 'Kala Chakra' brings Kalasri's story and vision to life - to the unifying power of art. The program combines theater, classical Indian dance in the Bharatanatyam style, folklore, and creative elements into a multifaceted performance, complemented by an accompanying exhibition. With "Kala Chakra," Kalasri not only celebrates its anniversary but also opens the next chapter in half a century of artistic and cultural creation.  'KALA CHAKRA' - A DANCE AND MUSIC THEATER At: Theater Basel, Switzerland Premiere: Wednesday 7th January 2026, 7.30pm Performance: Saturday,10th January 2026, 5pm Tickets: Theater Basel Choreography: D. Keshava, Anjali Keshava, Sumitra Keshava, Esther Jenny with their Kalasri Dance Ensemble Nattuvangam: D. Keshava, Vocal: Nirujan Sehasothy, Mridangam: Rukshan Srirangarajah, Veena and Violin: Vaisnavi Kavikanth Co-direction: Beatrice Fleischlin | Video design: Joel Sames | Sound/Light design: Theater Basel Exhibition Kalasri - Swiss - Indian Dance Story: Jan 7 to 20, 2026 Foyer Public, Theater Basel Curation: Barbara Piatti, Cedric Kegreiss Meet the Artists - in the Exhibition, Sunday, Jan 18, 2026, 12pm - 3pm Children's dance workshop 11am - 11.45am Further performances planned in different cities  50 YEARS OF KALASRI - ART THAT MOVES AND BUILDS BRIDGES What began with an encounter has been shaping Swiss art and cultural history for 50 years. In 1976, Swiss dancer and yoga teacher Esther Jenny and the acclaimed Indian artiste D. Keshava founded Kalasri - the first institution for Indian dance in Switzerland in the heart of Basel. Together with their daughters Anjali and Sumitra Keshava, the family enterprise continues to stand for artistic pioneering work, multifaceted cultural exchange, and authentic experiences of India. Kalasri, a creative space for innovative productions and a center for inspiration, movement, and encounter, brings together people across languages, generations, and cultures - and has shaped generations of Kalasri students and enthusiasts. As a bridge between cultures, Kalasri is a place where Indian art is not only presented, but also experienced, understood, and shared. Those who step into the studio on Freie Strasse find a piece of India in the heart of Basel - not as a distant image, but as a living reality that fosters awareness and appreciation for India's rich cultural heritage, bringing it into a vibrant dialogue with Swiss culture. Those who immerse themselves in Indian dance discover a universal language: one that tells stories full of expression, rhythm, and emotion - inspiring, touching, and creating connections between tradition and innovation, between school and life, between Basel and Mysore. Those who devote themselves to yoga cultivate flexibility, relaxation, and inner calm - bringing body, mind, and soul into harmony. For half a century, the Swiss-Indian artiste family Keshava has enriched Switzerland's cultural landscape with Bharatanatyam dance and Hatha Yoga. With passion and creativity, they have built a platform that unites art, education, and awareness. Anjali and Sumitra Keshava carry forward their parents' legacy with dedication. As dancers and teachers, they are committed to making art, culture, and diversity accessible and valued - through initiatives in politics, schools, churches, and communities - and they play a vital role in shaping the cross-genre dance scene of the Basel region. In 2024, they were honored with the Baselland Cultural Award - Dance Category for their contribution. Community has always been a living value within Kalasri. Through numerous collaborations with companies, parishes, cultural institutions, and schools, Kalasri has, for decades, made Indian culture widely accessible - influencing the arts far beyond Switzerland's borders. Over the years, numerous dance and music productions have emerged in Switzerland, India and in other countries. The Keshavas have received many awards and are recognized as pioneers who have anchored the cultural heritage of the Mysore style in the Western world - both traditionally and contemporarily. Today, Kalasri unites artistic performance, cultural education, creating connections across generations and cultures. At its heart remains art - as a source of inspiration for learners, practitioners, and audiences alike. Kalasri, Indian art & Culture Freiestrasse 3, 4001 Basel Switzerland Tel. +41 613010231 / kalasri.com facebook.com/dasappa.keshava/ |
