NADAM: When dance and music unite

If you are looking forward to attending music and dance festivals this season, here is one festival that you shouldn't miss. Narthan Academy of Dance and Music (NADAM) have decided to organise a classical festival titled Kalanadam. The festival which began on November 17 will go on till November 27. It will have a good variety of performances including Hindustani and Carnatic music, Kathakali, Kathak, Odissi, Mohiniyattam and others.

Some of the big names in the industry will be performing at ADA Rangamandira and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Prabal Gupta, (Kathakali), Sailaja (Kuchupudi), Guru Gajendra Panda (Odissi), Guru Girija Chandran (Mohiniyattam), Murali Mohan and Nandini K Mehta (Kathak), Dhananjay Hegde (Hindustani classical), Laya-Lahari ensemble which will be led by Vidwan Annor Ananthakrishna Sharma and troupe, Manorama Mehta and Chadrika K Mehta (Carnatic vocalists) are some of the names who will be performing at the festival.

The festival intends to provide a platform not only for established artistes in the industry but also for young and upcoming artistes. Speaking about the same, Nandini K Mehta, one of the founders of NADAM said, "In the initial days, when I started performing, dancers did not have many opportunities. We are conducting this programme to provide a platform for young artistes to showcase their hidden talent and also learn from professionals. " Besides upholding the cultural heritage, Kalanadam will also reach out to the needy and deprived. This year the helping hand will be lent to an old age home. "We have always been conducting the festival with a cause in mind for the last six years. According to me, every individual has the responsibility to give something valuable to the society. This is a small service that we have chosen to make."