The vibrant city of Bengaluru is set to host an impassioned celebration of dance, as the Citsabha Collective gears up for its forthcoming dance gala, Svadhyaya. With roots deep-seated in the philosophies of self-study, the festival is an embodiment of the relentless quest for artistic refinement. Svadhyaya, which translates to “self-study” in Sanskrit, guides the thematic pulse of the event. Kuchipudi dancer Srividya Angara Sinha, the enthusiast at the helm of Citsabha Collective, articulates that to engender true mastery in any field, a dedication to svadhyaya is indispensable. This ethos inspired the founders to christen their festival accordingly, aiming to curate a space for artists who champion this journey towards excellence.
Marking the second venture organized by the Citsabha Collective, following their percussion festival in 2019, Svadhyaya is poised to showcase an enchanting jugalbandhi, heralding the synergy of Srividya herself and Odissi dancer Shubha Nagarana, also a co-founder of the collective. The duo will grace the stage with ‘Samaagati,’ a choreography illustrating Adi Shankara’s ‘Meenakshi Pancharatna.’ The performance narrates the tale of Meenakshi, born from fire’s pure essence, adept in the arts of warfare, and indomitable in valor—her prowess so mighty that she dares to conquest the very domain of Kailasa.
The rhythmic narrative continues with a jugalbandi intertwining the intricate movements of Bharatanrityam and Kathak, in a performance by Rohini Prabhath and Medhavini Varakhedi, followed by the Bharatanatyam artistry of Shruti Gopal, the artistic director of Upadhye School of Dance.
Amidst this celebration of cultural heritage, the Citsabha Collective takes a moment to honor the transformative contributions of Sowmya and Sanak Athreya. Their dedication has blossomed in the field of therapy for special children through the harmonious cadence of Carnatic music. Founders of the Svarakshema Foundation, they have touched the lives of over 2000 neuro-divergent children with their holistic Integrated Indian Music Therapy Program, fostering betterment across various centers of special education.
Behind the scene, Srividya Angara Sinha stands as a testament to the confluence of passion and academia. Bearing a gold medal in Master of Performing Arts – Kuchipudi from the University of Hyderabad and a B Tech degree in computer science and engineering, she epitomizes the diverse skill set that characterizes today’s Indian classical artists. Her accolades don’t end there; Srividya also indulges audiences as an A-grade artiste with Doordarshan and an empaneled artiste with SPICMACAY, presently honing her Kuchipudi prowess under Jaikishore Mosalikanti.
The collective’s dedication to dance and diverse Indian cultural art forms is further bolstered by the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC). This partnership signifies a shared commitment to preserving and nurturing the rich tapestry of Indian culture.
Svadhyaya promises to be more than a mere dance festival; it is a testament to the power of self-discovery, a ripple across the waters of tradition meeting modernity. The curtains will rise on this ensemble of traditional dance on February 25 at Seva Sadan, Malleswaram, at 4pm. The event is free to all, inviting an audience to partake in this splendid cultural odyssey — for dance is not merely an exhibition of movement but a dialogue between the soul and the pursuit of transcendence through the arts.
