Parijatham - Solo performance by Swapnasundari in Vilasini Natyam Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu – group performance by Ganesa Natyalaya, choreographed by Swapnasundari Friday, 28th August 2026 7pm onwards at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre First come, First Seat The seventh edition of the Madhavi Festival instituted in memory of Madhavi Gopalakrishnan presents eminent Vilasini Natyam dancer Swapnasundari who will …
- Parijatham – Solo performance by Swapnasundari in Vilasini Natyam
- Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu – group performance by Ganesa Natyalaya, choreographed by Swapnasundari
Friday, 28th August 2026
7pm onwards at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre
First come, First Seat
The seventh edition of the Madhavi Festival instituted in memory of Madhavi Gopalakrishnan presents eminent Vilasini Natyam dancer Swapnasundari who will premiere her new solo work ‘Parijatham’. Followed by a group presentation ‘Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu’ that is a result of a 10 day workshop on Agama Bharatam by her at Ganesa Natyalaya. Organized by the Madhavi Foundation for Creative Excellence, this immersive evening of dance will unfold on Friday, 28 August 2026, from 7:00 PM onwards at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
The first performance of the evening is an original choreography in Vilasini Natyam by its founder & Padma Bhushan awardee Swapnasundari. Titled Parijatham, it portrays various moods of the Krishna-obsessed Satyabhama through a combination of dance, song & spoken dialogue .The costume & handmade wooden ornaments hark back to times of yore. Satyabhama’s pride in her royal lineage, her longing for Krishna & yearning for his presence, her jealousy towards his other consorts, her extreme possessiveness of Krishna and overwhelming love for him are brought to life by Swapnasundari with her characteristic vitality & nuanced Abhinaya.
Swapnasundari says, “Vilasini Natyam is an artistic creation which reflects the typicalities of dances performed in the royal courts and temples of Telugu land. This version of Parijatham draws upon a 300 year old unpublished libretto. I am thrilled to perform this in Delhi for my friend Rama. In the selection to be danced on 28th August, I will be exploring the kaleidoscopic emotional world of Satyabhama—her pride, longing, jealousy, and boundless love for Krishna….
I hope this performance ignites interest in true Manodharma (non-choreographed spontaneous improvisation) which characterized the now-obscure art of South India’s temple & court dancers.”
The second presentation, Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu, is a stage feature showcasing the ancient Agama Baliharanam ritual, performed by students of Ganesa Natyalaya, choreographed by Swapnasundari.
Swapnasundari has coined the term Agama Bharatham to denote the ritualistic dance form specific to agamic worship. This creative vision represents ancient ritualistic dance sequences, strung together with audio-visuals and a flowing narrative that explains the context and meaning of the ritual. At its heart, the piece is an ancient universal prayer for peace, equanimity, and harmony among all humanity.
Speaking on the festival, Co-Founder Rama Vaidyanathan says, “The Madhavi Festival has always celebrated the depth and diversity of Indian dance and presenting Vilasini Natyam by Swapnasundari is an honour. Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu, which emerged from a 10 day workshop generously conducted by Swapnasundari with our Ganesa Natyalaya students, reminds us that dance can be both prayer and pedagogy—uniting performers and audiences in a shared aspiration. We are honoured to bring these rare ritual forms and artists who keep these traditions alive.”
About Swapnasundari
Swapnasundari is an acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and vocalist, renowned for her mastery of Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam and for reviving Vilasini Natyam. Drawing from the courtesan repertoire of Telugu Devadasis, her style emphasizes graceful movements and intricate facial expressions. Since 1996, she has been offering Baliharana and other rituals during live worship at the annual Brahmotsavam of Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Rang Bagh, Hyderabad. She continues to sing, teach, write, and perform worldwide.
About Madhavi Festival
The Madhavi Festival was founded in honour of Madhavi Gopalakrishnan, by renowned dancer Rama Vaidyanathan, and her siblings the eminent author and social activist Meera Khanna (President Guild of Service), Educationist Indira Nayar and decorated Army officer Col Ravi Nair. The festival is a heartfelt tribute to Madhavi Gopalakrishnan’s enduring passion for dance.
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