The Annual LalitArpan Festival (24th edition), held on October 8 and 9, 2025, at the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, left audiences deeply moved and inspired by its powerful theme — “Antah-Shakti: Courage and Hope.” This year, it presented a fascinating fusion of solo and group dance dramas that illuminated real-life stories of strength and inner transformation through the language of Kathak.
The opening evening, October 8, featured “Agnipankh” by Shovana Narayan and Shruti Gupta Chandra, portraying the inspiring lives of real-life stories of three brave, young, and courageous persons- an autistic pianist, a transgender and an acid victim survivor – all of whom are working in the hospitality industry. The performance was followed by “Kathak” by Nrityashree Alaknanda, a cancer survivor whose expressive movements graced the stage in a solo performance, reflecting the power of the human spirit.
On October 9, “Parkaya” by Akshobhya Bhardwaj from Mumbai presented a deeply personal and artistic Kathak journey that transcends physical limitations and embraces inner transformation through Kathak, while “Rashmirathi” presented by Asavari, Ensemble and choreographed by Guru Shovana Narayan, brought to life the story of Karna, the bold young warrior of the Mahabharata who, despite being abandoned at birth and raised by a charioteer which made him an outcast, became a powerful warrior and remained steadfastly committed to his perceived duty, even in the face of moral dilemma.
The eminent guests who graced the event included Lt. Governor Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena & Smt. Sangita Saxena, Dr KG Suresh, Ms Preeti Aggarwal, Gayatri Prakash,Jyotsna Suri, Odissi Dancer Sharon Lowen, Sunit Tandon, Artist Naresh Kapuria, Ranjana Narayan, Actress Joyoshree Arora, Bharata Natyam Dancer Prathibha Prahlad, and K. Shiva Prasad.
The LalitArpan Festival, the brainchild of Kathak maestro Padmashri Guru Shovana Narayan, Dr. Jyotsna Suri, and the late Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan, one of the most eminent tabla players, was envisaged in 2002. It sowed the seeds to provide a platform to young artists as well as to foster confidence and make room in the realm of performing arts by making them participate along with reputed senior artists, which we have strived to do to the best of their ability. Alongside, we envisioned presenting the rasikas, various dimensions of the rich tapestry of classical performing arts through solo and group presentations, dance dramas and ensembles, and so on, to the aficionados. Organized by the dance institution Asavari and its volunteers, this festival has, till date, presented over 100 torchbearers of Indian classical performing arts.
ABOUT ASAVARI: Founded in 1979 by the renowned danseuse Padmashri Shovana Narayan, ASAVARI grew under the guiding force of her mother, the late Smt. Lalita Narayan, and received equal support from Ranjana Narayan, Dr. Ramchandra Gandhi, the tabla maestro, the late Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan, and many more. The name ASAVARI was decided as it symbolizes a morning raga. As a result, it represents the start of fresh hope and creation, reflecting Shovana-ji’s endeavors to spread, preserve, and advance the classical arts. As a staunch believer in the Gurukul-parampara, disciples not just learn the technical aspects of Kathak but also the importance of love, morality, and trust, which makes an artist humane.
Asavari aims to promote and nurture awareness of our rich cultural heritage. It focuses on skill development and vocational training in classical dance while exploring the connections between art and subjects like economics, social sciences, and philosophy. Asavari’s activities include teaching Kathak to students at all levels, creating new choreographies, organizing dance festivals such as LalitArpan and Rhythm and Joy, hosting quarterly gatherings, participating in various events, and leading research in dance-related subjects.
From LalitArpan Festival, Rhythm and Joy to Vividh-Mat: Perceptions” Festival—a 2-day festival—Asavari has been organizing prestigious music and dance festivals featuring stalwarts in classical performing arts.
Guru Shovana’s Asavari Repertory is accredited for many path-breaking works, thoughtful portrayals of social issues, and explorations of rhythmic dimensions in terms of sound-scapes and emotional scapes and inspiring presentations on various subjects and topics, which have been staged all over the country and abroad.
