This year, we present the dance festival in association with Chinmaya Misssion and Bhūmikā Arts.
We have young, upcoming artists and well as stalwarts gracing the stage. Join us for an enchanting evening of classical Indian dance at the Chinmaya Mission in Andover on May 10th from 1 to 7 PM. This vibrant festival will feature a rich tapestry of dance forms, including Kathak by the graceful Shefali Jain, Bharatanatyam by the accomplished Aishwarya Balasubramanian, Odissi by the renowned Guru Sanchita Bhattacharya, and Kuchipudi by the talented Vedya Spurthi Konda. Don’t miss this celebration of India’s diverse cultural heritage, where tradition and artistry come alive on one stage!
Vidhushi Guru Sanchita Bhattacharya
Guru Sanchita Bhattacharya is a celebrated Odissi exponent, trained under the legendary Guru Bela Arnab. Known for her expressive abhinaya and technical mastery, she has performed at prestigious venues worldwide, including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and the International Festival of Sacred Arts.
As a choreographer, Sanchita has created innovative works that blend tradition with contemporary themes, earning critical acclaim. A dedicated teacher, she founded the Sanchita Dance Academy, mentoring students globally and promoting cultural exchange.
Her contributions to Odissi have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Padma Shri. Through her artistry and teaching, Sanchita continues to elevate Odissi on the global stage.
Vedya Spurthi Konda
Vedya Spurthi Konda is a senior disciple of Sri JaiKishore Mosalikanti and Smt. Padmavani Mosalikanti, with formative training under Guru Smt. Himabindu Challa. An accomplished Kuchipudi dancer, she has performed solos across seven countries at prestigious venues, including the Erasing Borders Dance Festival, the High Commission of India London’s Nehru Centre, and Krishna Gana Sabha’s Ilamayil Thiramai Festival. She has also been part of the Shivamohanam ensemble at the Madras Music Academy Dance Festivals, the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center, and the Konark Dance Festival. A 2017 YoungArts Winner, Vedya holds a Diploma in Kuchipudi from the University of Silicon Andhra and a Senior Certificate from SAMPADA and Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University. She received a 2021 Apprenticeship Grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts. Vedya graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in Computer Science and is currently pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
Aishwarya Balasubramanian
Aishwarya Balasubramanian (formerly Aishwarya Narayanaswamy) is a seasoned Bharatanatyam exponent with over three decades of experience in learning, performing, and teaching. A disciple of Kalaimamani Anitha Guha, one of Chennai’s most renowned dance teachers, Aishwarya began her training at Bharathanjali at the age of four. By 1990, she was one of her teacher’s foremost students, quickly gaining recognition for her deep understanding of the art and presenting her arangetram at a young age.
Through years of intense training and dedication, Aishwarya became a sought-after performer, showcasing her talent at premier festivals and sabhas in India and abroad. Now based in the USA, she runs Arpanam Academy of Bharatanatyam, where she teaches and nurtures over 80 students from across the country.
Shefali Jain
Shefali Jain has trained in Kathak for 20+ years with Gretchen Hayden, Madhuri Devi Singh, and the late maestro Pandit Chitresh Das. Shefali has performed as a dance company member with the Chitresh Das Dance Company and the Leela Dance Collective. She has performed solo works at the Museum of Fine Arts, Tufts University, Wellesley College, New York Kathak Festival, and the Royal Opera House (India). Her work has received support from the Barr Foundation, Next Steps Boston, Foundation for Metrowest, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the National Endowment for Arts. In addition to performing, Shefali also teaches accredited courses in kathak at Tufts University and Wellesley College and is a senior teaching artist at the Chhandika Institute of Kathak.
