Reflections

My first solo performance in the United States unfolded at the IDIA 2024 – a festival that is much more than a stage, shaped by deep care, cultural mindfulness, and genuine community connection.

What stood out most was the quiet dignity with which this festival was organized. Curated with extraordinary sensitivity by Kavita akka and Ganesh anna, IDIA didn’t just provide a platform – it created a holding space. Every logistical detail-tech, sound, lighting, seating-was designed to nurture a space for the art and its stories to breathe. There was no rush. No glamour for its own sake. Just rigour, warmth, and listening; Everything art-making and art-sharing ask for, but rarely receive. The full house audience stood as a heartfelt testament to the team’s tireless dedication and hard work.

To be part of such a context in my first solo performance on this soil meant a great deal. Gratitude to the IDIA community, and to the many kind eyes that held the performance with such generosity. This was not just a beginning for me-it was an anchoring.

I wish the IDIA festival continued success and growth, so it may keep nurturing artists and audiences alike for many years to come.

I’ve been engaging with IDIA since 2018—as both an audience member and a performer—and over the past several years, it’s become something I look forward to every single year. I hope that alone speaks to the lasting impact this festival has had on me and likely many others.

As a performer, IDIA has been a truly empowering experience. The festival’s curation brings together leading artists from India and local talent, all on the same stage. To be presented alongside some of the most respected names in Indian classical dance is deeply motivating. It sets a clear standard for the kind of artists we want to grow into and the kind of work we want to create. So it gives emerging artists something to aspire to. It also carries a sense of responsibility—to uphold the integrity of the art and to stay committed to excellence.

As an audience member, IDIA is equally transformative. Sitting in the audience, I’ve felt a deep sense of pride—pride in the sophistication, beauty, and power of our art forms. For someone who grew up in the U.S., it’s sometimes easy to feel disconnected from those roots. But festivals like IDIA remind us of the incredible value and relevance of Indian classical arts. IDIA has created space for reflection, appreciation, and cultural connection. And for those who may not be part of the tradition or dance performers, it’s a chance to witness and understand the depth and artistry of Indian dance and music in a way that is accessible and elevating.

At the community level, IDIA raises the visibility of Indian classical arts in the Bay Area. it’s a platform that fosters dialogue, builds audiences, and creates artists where Indian arts are actively celebrated and kept vibrant.

And that’s why I hope you’ll consider supporting IDIA today. Your contribution helps sustain a space that uplifts artists, inspires the next generation, and brings people together through the beauty and brilliance of Indian classical arts.

“I Dance, hence I Am” stands as a fitting title for a festival meticulously conceived and curated by Kavita Thirumalai and Ganesh Vasudeva, both esteemed thinking artistes. Together with their dedicated team member, Priya Das, they have endeavored to serve the Indian Classical Dance Communities of the Bay Area and beyond. The festival has transcended geographical boundaries, reaching a global audience through its virtual edition.

The day-long event featured captivating performances from both local and Indian artists, complemented by panel discussions and talks that delved into diverse aspects of art. This inclusive approach reflects the organizers’ dedication to fostering a vibrant and interconnected community of classical dancers.

Participating in the IDIA Festival (2023) was a delightful and memorable experience as we shared our journey in Bharatanatyam and Yoga through a duet performance and talk, respectively. This performance will always hold a special place in our hearts as it was our first ever performance in the USA, accompanied by exceptional live music from Bay Area musicians. Heartfelt thanks to the IDIA Team for making this possible. We wish the Team continued success in their future editions. May their commitment to promoting classical arts and fostering cultural dialogue persist, further enriching the global artistic landscape.

I must say a heartfelt note of appreciation for having invited me to perform for IDIA 2023. Aware that I am, of what it takes to keep doing a festival year after year. There are times of self-doubt that may gather around us when we wonder whether all these efforts are really needed and of any significance. Yes, what you are doing is terribly commendable and much needed. Every contribution, in whatever measure, goes ahead to give a much needed life to our living arts. So it is so in my humble opinion.

May the festival keep growing and gain more momentum as co-artists, young and senior, contribute to this space. Thank you for being there for art and artists.

“The crispness of the format, the respect for artists’ intellectual property and the accessibility for viewers from various time zones made it a memorable experience for the audience and the artists alike. It felt that the IDIA Festival beyond just seamlessly moving to the Virtual format also effectively utilized the technological advancements which the new normal has ushered in. Kudos to Smt. Kavita Tirumalai and Sri. Ganesh Vasudeva for their genuine effort to curate such a wonderful festival which dancers look forward to be part of.”

“IDIA dance festival is an event that we eagerly look forward to each year. Even though watching it live is a more gratifying experience, the glitch free virtual event has been a blessing in many ways. IDIA event brings out a weekend immersed in the bliss of dance for anyone associated with dance regardless of their age, experience and expertise. The curve that traces the growth of a dancer was clearly visible in the three-day event in which the youngsters, advanced and professionals were provided a premier platform to showcase their art. This engaging event has always garnered the attention of anyone who is closely associated with art in any format. Thank you Ganesh and Kavita for helping us understand the growth curve and enhance our learning, in the most artistic way possible and evoking a holistic experience, by presenting spectacular artistes each time!! Wishing you all success and looking forward to many more!”

“The IDIA festival was curated painstakingly by a group of very committed dancers, and it was my absolute honour to be part of it. I was amazed at the professionalism with which the team executed the online festival, adapting to the new normal with ease and conviction. The sessions that covered from performances, to explorations and discussions, spoke of an extremely holistic approach to dance- Something that is the need of the hour. Kudos to the fantastic team Kavita Thirumalai, Ganesh Vasudeva and Priya Das.”

“Congratulations to all of you for putting together this lovely program of thinking artists. An artist is not supposed to be just an entertainer or to just showcase their art but also to enrich the dance fraternity with thinking ideas. Thinking artists are what we need to shape, especially with the next generation of artists. It’s not about being center stage all the time but it’s about the dialogue that we are having with such platforms. What an experience this festival has given all of us! Thank You.”

“I’m so grateful to IDIA 2020 for bringing such insightful conversations and beautiful dancing to our screens. The varied format of the presentations and mix between India and US based artists made it a very engaging session even though it was virtual. It is so encouraging that festivals have begun transitioning to the virtual format while in person is still not possible.”

“With each year that I have attended IDIA, the curators and organizers, Kavita Thirumalai and Ganesh Vasudeva have upped the ante on the festival!! The event this year (2020), was virtual and was set up so beautifully to keep the virtual audience engaged. Although I missed the all-day event in person, the timing and break down of the discussions and including the young artists performance was very thoughtful. It gave us, as dancers, explore the thought process of Sadhana with our own esteemed North American teachers/performers as well as understand the plethora of experiences in choreography that was discussed with Rama Vaidyanathan Akka and Dakshina. Rama Akka’s talk was overwhelming, perhaps an edited version or dividing the content into two sessions would have been a wonderful approach. All in all, another wonderful year for IDIA and the team to showcase and celebrate our culture and tradition to the next generation. Kudos and looking forward to next year, hopefully in person!!”

“It was a pleasure to be a part of the first IDIA festival organized by Kavita Thirumalai and Ganesh Vasudeva. For those of us in US who wish to have more opportunities to be immersed in indian classical arts, this was a lovely day- long event to be thinking dance, hearing and speaking dance, and watching and dancing dance! Thoughtfully organized and curated, it was an opportunity to be with fellow dancers and rasikas, to feel a sense of artistic community and celebrate our love for Bharata Natyam.”

“I Dance I Am is such a special idea, only after an honest journey with dance can we start to feel dance taking over, from being a passion and hobby into being something that is our own individual way of expressing our inner selves and that voice within, i believe its only through exploration, watching and questioning that we can get to this idea, where we are not ourselves but be the dance. I was so happy to be a part of it in 2019, it was a wonderful day that had been planed and curated with a lot of sensitivity, sincerity and variation by  Kavita and Ganesh,  everyone was so engaged, the atmosphere in the theatre was warm and inviting  listening to the talks and watching the performances of many peers and seniors who i admire so much. the intent to make an event that encourages the youth of Bay Area to achieve with dance is highly commendable and i look forward to seeing this initiative grow.”