May 2026
ANITA SAYS.....
I dance because it feels like sunrise hitting my cheek
Like floating on a river…
Like I am in discussion with the universe
- Broadway dancer AFRA HINES
April has always been a packed month for the performing arts community.
As Spring blooms in full splendour in some parts of the globe,
temperatures soar in South Asia and hundreds of dancers and musicians
from India are taking to the skies towards further shores. To teach,
tour, perform and continue their creative journeys. Even while visa
restrictions increase and travel costs soar, performers, especially
dancers, remain resilient and hopeful.
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MEHEK was presented at the NMACC in Mumbai on April 11, 2026
Choreographed and danced by Aditi Mangaldas & Aakash Odedra.
An Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company & Aakash Odedra Company presentation.
Photos: John Valente and Vipul Sangoi
TAKITATOM
India Foundation for
the Arts (IFA) celebrates 30 years of Grant and Project implementation.
It was set up in 1993 as a Public Charitable Trust, and in 1995-96, made
its first set of grants.
The Martha Graham Dance Company's100th-anniversary gala was held at the New York Public Library on April 17, 2026.
In a rare and spiritually resonant cultural initiative, a group of young
Indian classical dancers (Arundhati Patwardhan, Mithun Shyam, Namrata
Mehta, Shreyasi Gopinath and Sayali Kane) led by arts consultant DR.
USHA RK, presented a series of dance performances in Srinagar and at the
Line of Control (LOC) to commemorate the birth anniversary of Adi
Shankaracharya on April 21 & 22, 2026. The revered philosopher-saint
is believed to have traveled extensively across India and spent time in
Srinagar in pursuit of spiritual learning and meditation.
Presented by JG College of Perf Arts and Ahmedabad South Indian
Association, for the first time 24 main dance institutions of Ahmedabad
featuring 72 dancers are coming together to celebrate World Dance at JG
College of Performing Arts auditorium on 2nd May 2026.
MAHAGAMI released the dance bulletin AGRADIP on World Dance Day (April
29, 2026) in Aurangabad. The issue carries articles on the recent 3
editions of Sharngadev Samaroh - in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Jan),
Lucknow (Feb) and Goa (March 2026).
As Natya Tarangini marks its 50th anniversary, the Board announces the
appointment of BHAVANA REDDY as a Director at Natya Tarangini,
contributing and representing the next generation to the Board's
collective vision.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Soorya Performing Arts presents
American Natya Idol
Feb 28 to June 13, 2026
Across USA
Bhagavata Mela Natya Nataka Sangam presents
86th Bhagavata Mela Nataka Mahotsav
April 30 - May 8, 2026 Melattur
Ektaa Center & the Arpana Dance Company present
Dance Conversations
Five Decades, One Living Tradition
May 2, 2026, Irvine, CA
Nrityagram presents Summer workshop
30 June - 11 July 2026
Apply by May 3, 2026
At Nrityagram, Bangalore
Vihāra Dance Residency
Living the Dance at Nrityagram, Bengaluru
Apply by May 24, 2026
Residency 1: Aug 1 - Sept 30, 2026
Mahagami presents
29th Sadhana Gurukul Residency
At Mahagami Gurukul
May 24 - 31, 2026 Aurangabad
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AWARDS
 KAPILA
VENU received THE HINDU ARTS, MUSIC AND CULTURE AWARD 2026 from Dr.
Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson of THG, at the 'World of Women' gathering
in Chennai on March 27, 2026.
VIDHYA SUBRAMANIAN received the NATYA VIDHA NIDHI (Lifetime Achievement Award) from IFAASD, San Diego on March 28, 2026.
 On April 3, 2026 the SAPTARANGA SAMMAN
by Mrudugunjan was conferred upon eminent personalities for their
outstanding contribution to various fields of art and culture, at
Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar. The awardees include PRADEEP KUMAR BISWAL (Theatre), SACHIKANTA DAS (Mardala), SUKANTA KUMAR KUNDU (Odissi vocal), SADASHIVA PRADHAN (Chhau dance), and VANI MADHAV (Odissi dance).
Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam exponent SAILAJA was honored with the KARTIK
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 2026 by Kartik Fine Arts at the organization's 51st
anniversary celebration on April 14, 2026 at Chennai.
MES Kalavedi presented the KALAVEDI PURASKAR to Guru REVATHI NARASIMHAN on April 17, 2026 at MES College Quadrangle, Bangalore.
Dr. N ANDAL, Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher from Avinashi, Tirupur
district, Tamilnadu, received the NATIONAL HONOR OF DISTINCTION of the
National Honor Foundation of India, from President Droupadi Murmu, on
April 25, 2026.
Koodiyattam artiste VENU G received the MANIKYA SREE PURASKARAM from the
Sree Koodalmanikyam Devaswom on the occasion of the Thiru Utsavam
(temple festival) on April 29, 2026 at the Sree Koodalmanikyam Temple,
Irinjalakuda, Thrissur.
JG College of Performing Arts and Ahmedabad South Indian Association
present LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD to 90-year-old Guru ELAKSHIBEN
THAKORE on May 2, 2026 at Ahmedabad during celebrations of World Dance.
 DR PADMAJA SURESH receives the SASWATA KALA POSHAKA AWARD at Bharatiya
Vidya Bhavan, London, from the Saswatam cultural organisation based out
of UK, on May 2, 2026.
 Shrishti Center of Performing Arts presents MAYA RAO MEMORIAL AWARD to
light designer CHANDRAKUMAR SINGH on May 2, 2026 at Bangalore. The
SHRISHTI NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR ARTS goes to Bharatanatyam
artiste PRATHIBHA PRAHLAD and theater artiste B. JAYASHREE on May 3,
2026.
 Government of Karnataka to confer NATYA RANI SHANTALA AWARD 2026 on
Bharatanatyam dancer PRATHIBHA PRAHLAD. This is the highest Karnataka
State Govt award instituted for the art of dance.
 PANDIT SUNDARLAL GANGANI CHANDRAKALA SANMAN was given on February 16,
2026 at Pt Jagdish Gangani's Kathak Darshan Festival to Guru SHOBHA
KOSER, a Kathak exponent known for her grace, depth of abhinaya and
lifelong dedication to nurturing the art. |
ATMA SHANTI
Latvian Bharatanatyam dancer VIJA VETRA passed away on April 12, 2026. She was 103.
More info:
Vija Vetra: A century of dance
- Prakhar Bajpai
RASHME HEGDE GOPI, the founder of Shankaraa Foundation in Bangalore,
passed away on April 19, 2026. She was the heart and force behind
Shankaraa, a space she built with conviction and care, shaped by her
lifelong commitment to the arts. She was a Karnataka State Rajyotsava
awardee and has also received Karnataka Kalashree Award from Sangeet
Nritya Academy.
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