IDIA invites you to be part of our 9th Festival year with a fabulous lineup of artists on August 15 & 16. Come support our budding artists, watch Bay Area based performing artists, and witness world-renowned Bharatanatyam artists bring together a most enjoyable weekend for dance enthusiasts and art lovers like you.
DAY 1
(Saturday, August 15, 2026)
Event 1: Interactive Session:
Injury Prevention among Dancers: Dr. Divya Raghavan
11.00 am – 12.30 pm
In this interactive session, Dr. Divya Raghavan will share practical approaches to building strength, preventing common dance-related injuries, and developing sustainable movement practices that support long-term artistic growth. Whether you are a student, performer, teacher, or parent, this session offers valuable insights into caring for the dancer’s most important instrument, the body.
The participants will gain a better understanding of injury awareness, recovery strategies, conditioning, and techniques that help dancers continue training safely and confidently.
Dr. Divya Raghavan is a physician and dance medicine specialist dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of dancers. Combining her medical expertise with a deep understanding of movement, she works closely with dancers of all ages to promote injury prevention, rehabilitation, and sustainable performance practices.
Event 2: Rare Choreographies of Kalaimamani KJ Sarasa – Junior Showcase
2.00 pm – 13.30 pm
IDIA is delighted to present a special Junior Showcase celebrating the enduring artistic legacy of Kalaimamani Guru Smt. K.J. Sarasa . This production features a selection of her rarely presented choreographies, offering audiences a glimpse into a repertoire celebrated for its elegance, musicality, and timeless appeal.
Over months of dedicated rehearsals, young dancers from the San Francisco Bay Area have immersed themselves in these works under the mentorship of Guru Sri. Shanmugha Sundar, a direct disciple of Sarasa Amma. This year’s Junior Showcase features Anishka Jaideep, Shruthi Seluka, Hasika Sridhar, Samhitha Sooktha Bellamkonda, Kaavya Ravishankar, Nikita Shenoy, Anshula Chowdiah, Ikjot Bali, and Tejaswini Jagannathan, whose dedication and artistry bring these treasured works to life on the IDIA stage.
Guru Sri. Shanmugha Sundar is an acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher based in Chennai. A devoted disciple of the late Guru K.J. Sarasa, he is widely respected for his dignified artistry, expressive abhinaya, and commitment to preserving and sharing his guru’s repertoire. His work has also been recognized for expanding access to Bharatanatyam through his teaching within the transgender community, and through the annual festival he presents in honor of his guru’s enduring legacy.
Event 3: Gajar: Deepa Mahadevan & Kaustavi Sarkar
4.00 pm – 4.30 pm
At IDIA, we are always inspired by works that bring together artistic collaboration and meaningful storytelling. We are excited to welcome Deepa Mahadevan and Kaustavi Sarkar to IDIA 2026 with their collaborative production, Gajar.
Gajar is a choreography in the Shilpanatanam tradition by Maya Kulkarni. Inspired by the vibrant devotional practices of Western India dedicated to Lord Vitthal, Gajar draws from the collective spirit of pilgrimage, where chanting, dance, and movement become powerful expressions of shared faith. Meaning “chant” or “invocation,” Gajar evokes the energy of devotees whose journeys are transformed into a living sacred space through rhythm and storytelling. Rooted in tradition yet deeply resonant today, the work celebrates community, devotion, and the transformative power of collective movement.
This production will be presented by Dr. Deepa Mahadevan and Dr. Kaustavi Sarkar, two distinguished performers, scholars, and educators whose artistic practices bridge performance, research, and innovation. Through their shared engagement with Shilpanatanam and Indian classical dance traditions, they bring Maya Kulkarni’s choreography to life with depth, precision, and a profound understanding of its artistic and philosophical foundations.
Dr. Deepa Mahadevan is a Bharatanatyam artist, choreographer, and founder of Tiruchitrambalam School of Dance and Matrusena. A practitioner of Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Shilpanatanam, and Kalaripayattu, she combines performance with scholarship, holding a PhD in Performance Studies from the University of California, Davis.
Dr. Kaustavi Sarkar is an Associate Professor of Dance at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, an accomplished Odissi and Shilpanatanam performer, and founder of the annual Odissi Odyssey conference. Her work explores choreography, dance-theatre, and creative processes, while her research and educational initiatives continue to shape conversations around Indian classical dance internationally.
Event 4: Naada Shyaama : A solo performance by Smt. Meenakshi Srinivasan
6.00 pm – 7.30 pm
For the very first time, Meenakshi Srinivasan brings her artistry to the United States, with IDIA 2026 hosting the only presentation of Naada Shyaama – Between Earth and Eternity during this visit.
Naada Shyaama is a Bharatanatyam production by acclaimed dancer Meenakshi Srinivasan that explores the diverse facets of Krishna—ranging from a divine child and cosmic lover to a philosopher-warrior and inner eternal spirit. Through a seamless blend of classical dance, music, poetry, and original compositions, the performance moves between earthly emotions like joy, longing, and surrender to invoke a state of transcendence. Ultimately, the production seeks to transform the stage into a sacred space, offering audiences an immersive encounter with universal consciousness and a resonant celebration of the divine.
Meenakshi Srinivasan is an acclaimed, top-graded Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and practicing architect who runs her own firm, Calm Studio. Trained under Smt. Alarmel Valli, she is globally celebrated for a signature performance style defined by “sensuous geometry.” Her distinguished career has earned her prestigious global stages and top honors, including the Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar and multiple Best Dancer awards from the Madras Music Academy.
DAY 2
(Sunday, August 16, 2026)
Event 1: From the Artist’s Eyes – Meenakshi Srinivasan
11.00 am – 12.30 pm
This interactive immersive session offers something for everyone—art lovers, aspiring dancers, and performing artists alike. If you’ve ever wanted to engage with the incredible Meenakshi Srinivasan but never had the chance, this is the perfect opportunity. Meenakshi will share insights into her sadhana (practice) and artistic journey, including her creative approach to a selected piece from her repertoire.
Dancers will get the chance to learn an excerpt from the piece, while art enthusiasts will gain a deeper appreciation for the nuances and details that inform her work, enhancing their experience and reflection after her performance.
Event 2: Bay Area Soloists: Lekshmi Sarath, Roopa Suresh, Snigdha Venkataramani
2.00 pm – 3.30 pm
The Bay Area is home to an incredible community of dancers, teachers, and performers. An important part of IDIA is celebrating the artists who are shaping the classical dance landscape right here in the Bay Area. At IDIA 2026, we are happy to present three solo artists from our local community who will be part of this year’s festival: Lekshmi Sarath, Roopa Suresh and Snigdha Venkataramani. We are excited to bring their work to the IDIA 2026 stage!
Lekshmi Sarath started her dance journey at a very young age under the guidance of Smt.Girija Chandran of Regatta Cultural Society – Trivandrum,Kerala. She has been an active participant in various cultural programs and events during her learning years. Lekshmi continued her dance journey in the Bay Area under the guidance of Smt.Suganda Iyer of Jayendar Kalakendra for the span of a few years. A software engineer by profession, she is currently focussed on working on her craft and exploring the options as a freelance dancer, performing and collaborating with various dance companies and groups in the Bay Area.
Roopa Suresh has a rigorous foundation with Guru Kitappa Pilla’s disciples who helped her develop not only strong technique but also a deep appreciation for the subtleties and expressive richness of the dance. Roopa continues her advanced training under the guidance of Guru Smt. Shreelata Suresh – Founder and Artistic Director of Vishwa Shanthi Dance Academy. She has been an integral part of the school since 2008 and started the San Jose branch of the school in 2011. She has performed in many of the school’s acclaimed productions, such as Uthpala, Samudra Manthan, Infinite Facets, Vyakrita & Hanuman. As a freelance artist, she has also participated in notable works, such as Life of Pi, Ashrutam – The Unheard Voice, and Yuvabharathi’s Abhisarika. A lifelong learner, Roopa believes in the joy and fulfillment that dance brings.
Snigdha Venkataramani is a respected Bharatanatyam performer, choreographer, nattuvangam artiste and teacher. In addition to Bharatanatyam , Snigdha is also a carnatic vocalist, performer and a highly sought after vocalist and music composer for dance. She learnt this traditional dance form from world renowned guru Dr. Saroja Vaidyanathan, a Padma Bhushan Awardee and continues to train under Nritya Kalanidhi Rama Vaidyanathan, the daughter-in-law and disciple of her Guru. She has won several accolades including the Rajiv Gandhi National award for unity, Aadharshila award for child stars, Delphic Golden Award in Malaysia, Smaran Kala Spoorthi award in Bay Area, the Aryabhatta International Award for distinguished NRIs, an All India radio grade in music, and several scholarships in music and dance. She is the artistic director of Laya Dhwani Academy, and her students have received several prestigious accolades and also freelance with renowned dance companies of the Bay Area.
Event 3: Timeless Abhinaya by Smt. Bragha Bessell
5.00 pm – 6.30 pm
IDIA is deeply honored to host the distinguished Bharatanatyam exponent, Nritya Kalanidhi Smt. Bragha Bessell. Renowned for her mastery of abhinaya (expressive storytelling), Smt. Bessell will present a collection of timeless choreographies designed to move and captivate audiences of all backgrounds. This promises to be a rare, unmissable performance for the Bay Area community.
Celebrating 57 years since her Arangetram and over five decades of dedicated service to classical dance, Bragha G. Bessell is a premier Bharatanatyam exponent, choreographer, and pedagogue globally renowned for her masterful abhinaya (expressive dance) and graceful, high-energy nritta (pure dance). Trained under legendary gurus including Sri. Mangudi Durairaj Iyer, Sri. Adyar K. Lakshman, and Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, Bessell’s deeply emotive, precise, and versatile stage presence has garnered stellar reviews from major publications such as The New York Times and The Hindu.
Beyond her extensive international performance career and critically acclaimed productions like Prana Nayaka and the Vaggeyakara Programme, she is a highly sought-after educator who has taught at Kalakshetra for over 15 years and regularly conducts workshops worldwide. Her profound contributions to the art form have earned her numerous prestigious honors, most notably the Nritya Kalanidhi from the Madras Music Academy (2022), the Nritya Ratna (2023), and multiple Lifetime Achievement awards, solidifying her legacy as a towering figure in the world of classical Indian dance.
DONATE
We appreciate your support in the past years and hope you will continue to support our vision of bringing world class performances to you. Because of devoted arts patrons like you, we can look forward to bringing back virtual as well as live performances for all to enjoy.