Sixth Edition of Shivaarghya – Festival of Male Dancers by Ganesa Natyalaya

Day & Date: Sunday, 1^st March 2026

Time: 2pm to 8pm

Venue: Ganesa Natyalaya, C-16, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi

Entry: Open to all

Ganesa Natyalaya, a prominent Bharatanatyam dance institution in Delhi, presents the sixth edition of ‘Shivaarghya’ ~ a festival dedicated to male dancers on Sunday, 1^st March 2026, from 2pm to 8pm at Ganesa Natyalaya, C-16, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi.

This year the festival will feature 19 accomplished dancers from across India, presenting six classical dance traditions: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Sattriya, and Neo-Classical. Curated by the celebrated dancer Rama Vaidyanathan, Shivaarghya was envisioned by the late Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan in 2019 to provide a platform for young male dancers who have embraced dance as a full-time profession.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva—the cosmic dancer Nataraja—the festival celebrates the discipline, artistry, and devotion of male performers who embody his spirit. Through their performances, they honor the timeless heritage of Indian classical dance while exploring new creative dimensions. Shivaarghya is a tribute to the sacred bond between dance and spirituality, reminding us of the eternal rhythm of life.

Speaking about the festival, Smt. Rama Vaidyanathan, President of Ganesa Natyalaya, said, “Continuing the tradition initiated by my Guru and our founder, late Saroja Vaidyanathan, we are delighted to host the sixth edition of Shivaarghya. This festival brings together artists from across the country to celebrate the living traditions of Indian classical dance. It is a space for dialogue, discovery, and renewed appreciation, where performers share both lineage and innovation, and audiences leave with a deeper connection to these art forms.”

The Bharatanatyam segment will be presented by Anand Satchidanand from Maharashtra, Athul Balu PP along with his young disciple Shamanthaka from Chennai, Dr. S. Vasudevan, Dr. Himanshu Srivastava, Nilava Sen, Pritam Das, Vinay Tiwari, and Manish Kumar from Delhi, along with Shreyas Nair from Mumbai. Kathak will be showcased by Aditya Garud from Maharashtra, Gaurav Shridhar, Ravi Yadav, and Sushant Gaurav from Delhi. Odissi features participation by Rahul Varshney and Vishwanath Mangaraj from Delhi, alongside Rudra Prasad Swain from Bhubaneswar. The Sattriya tradition will be represented by Partha Pratim Hazarika from Delhi, while Kuchipudi will be performed by Suryanarayana Rao P. from Bengaluru. The Neo-Classical style will be presented by Shubhojit Khush Das from Kolkata.

With participants hailing from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, and Kolkata, Shivaarghya is not just a festival—it is a celebration of the divine energy of dance, a homage to Lord Shiva, and a reaffirmation of the spiritual essence that lies at the heart of India’s classical traditions.

About Ganesa Natyalaya

From humble beginnings with just a few students, Ganesa Natyalaya has evolved into a vibrant cultural hub of Bharatanatyam dance in the capital with Indian and international students. With over 350 Arangetrams and global affiliations, the Natyalaya stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Bharatanatyam. The institution also collaborates with NGOs such as the Guild of Service, Aravindam Foundation, and SARVAM, providing Bharatanatyam training to underprivileged students through its dedicated teachers.