Produced by Sivam, Inc. with support from the USIBC.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: Utsav, an international platform for showcasing prominent Indian musicians and dancers, will hold a three-day cultural extravaganza, including panel discussions, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts here, from September 19-21.
The event, celebrating India’s maestros of classical music and dance, is produced by Sivam, Inc., and is supported by the U.S.-India Business Council. Performances will be held in the Terrace Theater at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
“Utsav is more than a festival — it’s a celebration of one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating cultures,” said Dr. Sreedhar Potarazu, one of the event’s key organizers, in a press release. “Attendees will be immersed in all things India. India is home to one of the most diverse cultures the world has ever known, and we look forward to sharing that culture with folks from all over the country at the Kennedy Center.”
Utsav will include performances by widely recognized Indian stars, including musician Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh, vocalist and composer Bombay Jayashri, and Rahul Sharma, who just released an album with Grammy-winning electronica group Deep Forest. World-renowned dancer Birju Maharaj and internationally admired dancer/choreographer Alarmel Valli will also take the stage.
Free panel discussions will be held on Saturday and Sunday to complement the artists’ performances, and learn more about their craft.
One of Utsav’s key objectives is to strengthen ties between the United States and India.
“India’s new prime minister, Narendra Modi, will visit D.C. later this month to promote stronger ties between the United States and India,” said Diane Farrell, Acting President of the U.S.-India Business Council, in a statement. “Utsav can help in that mission, by exposing Americans to the richness and depth of Indian culture. We know that those who attend the festival will be awed by what they see.”
The panel discussions are: “Dance Tradition and Innovation Today”, moderated by Guru Lakshmi Vishwanathan, featuring: Hari Krishnan, Assistant Professor of Dance, Wesleyan University (Connecticut) and Artistic Director, inDANCE (Toronto), Malathi Iyengar, Choreographer & Artistic Director – Rangoli Dance Company.
“Dance Tradition and Innovation Today”, moderated by Guru Lakshmi Vishwanathan, featuring: Sujatha Srinivasan, Artistic Director, Shri Kalaa Mandir, Anuradha Naimpally, Solo Artist and Creative Director of Austin Dance India.
“Learning and Sharing Indian Classical Music in the New World”, moderated by Sangeetha Sivakumar, featuring: Bombay Jayashri, Jayanthi Kumaresh, (veena artiste and composer), Rahul Sharma (santoor artiste and collaborator).
“Carnatic Music 2.0”, moderated by Sangeetha Sivakumar, featuring: Roopa Mahadevan (vocalist, San Jose), Rajna Swaminathan (mridangam artiste, Washington, DC), Guhan Venkataraman (veena artiste, San Jose), Keerthana Sankar (violin artiste, Detroit).
For more information on the festival: http://utsavfestival.com/program/