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 Celebrating the spirit of Indian festivals and Arts across Australia- Bindu Rajendrene-mail: bindu.kaisiki@gmail.com September 4, 2025 As August approaches each year, it signals the start of a vibrant wave of celebrations for Indians worldwide. From Ganesha Chaturthi to a host of cultural festivities, this time of year brings with it joyous performances and community gatherings not only in India but also across the globe, including in Australia. In preparation for the coming months, diaspora organisations are busy organising cultural events that showcase India's rich heritage. Among these, a highlight is the ongoing tour of Indian artistes to Australia. The Sydney Music Festival, organised by the Swara-Laya Fine Arts Society, recently presented a stunning array of performances by some of India's finest artists. Renowned dancers like Parshwanath Upadhye, Rukmini Vijayakumar, Harinie Jeevitha, and Christopher Gurusamy graced the stage, while musical presentations featured the soulful performances of the Trichur Brothers, Nirmala Rajasekhar, Abhishek Raguram, and others. These performances garnered great appreciation, with audiences traveling from other states just to witness their favourite artistes. One of Sydney's own Bharatanatyam talents, Shobana Suresh, recently earned local council and NSW Arts funding for her upcoming contemporary solo Bharatanatyam production titled Echoes of Home, set to premiere in 2026. Shobana, a versatile artiste, also showcased her acting skills in the Tamil comedy Oh My Guruji, which was staged in Sydney in July. The play humorously tells the story of a humble cobbler mistakenly believed to be a spiritual guru, offering a witty critique of faith, greed, and the surprising sources of wisdom. Along with her artist husband, Chidambaram Suresh, Shobana is launching a new concert series under their Samarpana Institute of Dance, which will celebrate the dance journey beyond the Arangetram. The inaugural evening, scheduled for Sunday, 19th October 2025, will feature senior disciple Vishnu Arunasalam performing a solo margam, while Shobana herself will present a thematic solo titled Hues of Love.  Shobana Suresh In Melbourne, the celebrated dancer Methil Devika has been conducting workshops in Mohiniattam, sharing her expertise in dance through various dance schools. Devika has also been offering one-on-one training for dancers across different styles, helping them prepare for upcoming performance recitals in Melbourne and Canberra in September. The workshops cover important topics, including developing the character sketch of a Nayika in Mohiniattam, a key component for dancers seeking to deepen their understanding of this classical form. Another focus of the sessions has been the Chollukettu, an essential craft for those already familiar with Mohiniattam. Additionally, Devika's teachings emphasize the adaptation of classical dance theories into practice, providing insights into the often-misused dance terminologies and encouraging students to critically examine regional dance practices—highlighting the need to move beyond didactic interpretations of traditional dance lexicons.  Methil Devika in Melbourne with workshop attendees On September 6th, Australia will host the second Naatyotsava Dance Festival, an event that brings together professional and emerging dancers from across the country. Curated and hosted by the Queensland Kannadigas Cultural and Sports Society, this festival provides a valuable platform for local diasporic artists to showcase their talent. With limited classical dance festivals in Australia, this is a rare opportunity to celebrate both established and emerging talent. The festival lineup includes Kathak artiste Sanchita Abrol, Odissi exponent Anwesha Das, and Kuchipudi artiste Hema Venugopalan.  On a personal note, I had the honor of performing at the Festival of Commonwealth Friendship at the Government House in Brisbane, as an invited artiste. It was a moment of immense pride to represent India and perform in the prestigious Investiture Room, where many esteemed individuals are presented with the Order of Australia Awards. The standing ovation I received at the end was truly heartwarming and a memory I will cherish forever. As the Indian diaspora in Australia continue to celebrate these vibrant traditions through dance, music, and performance, we are reminded that Indian culture and heritage thrive not only in our homeland but also wherever we call home. Through the arts, we keep our customs alive, passing them down to future generations and sharing them with the world. Living abroad, we have the unique privilege of nurturing and celebrating our rich cultural identity, and it is through events like these that our heritage truly blossoms in new and exciting ways. Bring on Onam, Navaratri, Diwali, Dusshera, Christmas…  Bindu Rajendren is a Mohiniattam dancer, researcher, and multidisciplinary artiste based in Brisbane, Australia. Her work blends eco-feminist philosophy with traditional cultural practices, fostering interconnectedness, environmental care, and compassion for all living beings. |
