DILIP GUHA ★ NEW DELHI : The Trikayaa Dance Foundation hosted its prestigious annual event, SANSKRITI – 2025 “Colours of India,” on the 9th of May 2025, at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi.
The evening unfolded as a captivating celebration of classical Indian dance, featuring a mesmerising blend of tradition and artistic expression. With about 120 distinguished students from the foundations and 16-17 professional artists performing evocative choreographies, the event transported the audience into the rich heritage of India’s classical dance forms, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who attended.
The program “Colours of India”, a multicultural production curated and directed by acclaimed artists Priya Srinivasan and Rakesh Sai Babu, Sanskriti 2025 was a grand celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage, spotlighting two iconic classical styles—Bharatanatyam and Mayurbhanj Chhau.
Priya Srinivasan, a distinguished Bharatanatyam artist and alumnus of Kalakshetra, is celebrated for her ability to weave compelling narratives through dance. Her innovative choreography, rooted in tradition yet contemporary in approach, has won her acclaim across India and beyond. Trained under eminent gurus, she brings depth and emotion to her performances, captivating audiences worldwide.
A torchbearer of Mayurbhanj Chhau, Rakesh Sai Babu is a recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Yuva Puraskar. Under the mentorship of Guru Janmey Joy Sai Babu, he has mastered the martial dance form, seamlessly blending its dynamic movements with artistic expression. His dedication to preserving and evolving this tradition has positioned him as a key figure in the classical dance landscape.
A Vision for Classical Dance
Priya Srinivasan and Rakesh Sai Babu together lead Trikayaa Dance Foundation, a renowned classical dance institution based in Delhi, dedicated to preserving and promoting Indian classical dance forms.
The Foundation serves as a vibrant platform committed to nurturing and advancing classical dance traditions. Through performances, workshops, and educational initiatives, the foundation fosters a new generation of artists while ensuring the continued richness and relevance of these art forms.
The foundation offers classes at its Indirapuram centre, welcoming students of all ages and skill levels. It specialises in Bharatanatyam and Mayurbhanj Chhau, providing expert training in these distinguished dance styles.
The production Colours of India was Trikayaa Dance Foundation’s annual showcase, celebrating a year of artistic growth, rigorous training, and community engagement. This celebration marked the Foundation’s dedication to preserving cultural roots and empowering expression through dance, embracing a future of artistry, devotion, and growth. From junior students to seasoned performers, the stage came alive with rhythm, expression, and devotion.
The event showcased a mesmerising blend of tradition, rhythm, expression, and storytelling, featuring exceptional performances and choreographies that seamlessly bridged the ancient with the contemporary.
The evening unfolded with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolising the dispelling of ignorance through knowledge and art. This was followed by a multicultural performance, setting the tone for a memorable night.
The performances spanned classical and folk forms, intricately choreographed and executed with grace and precision. Later, the junior and senior students of the foundation captivated the audience with their rhythm, expression, and disciplined technique, highlighting the holistic training imparted at the Foundation.
The Performances from the intricate storytelling of Bharatanatyam to the athletic grace of Mayurbhanj Chhau, and the emotive elegance of Odissi, Kathakali, Kathak, and Kuchipudi, the evening showcased a seamless fusion of styles, capturing the soul of India’s artistic heritage.
Equally captivating were the vibrant folk dances of Rajasthan, Punjab, Kashmir, Karnataka, and West Bengal, which added rhythm, colour, and regional essence to the tapestry. The performances moved fluidly between tradition and innovation, reflecting the Foundation’s ethos of cultural preservation through dynamic expression.
In her message, Priya Srinivasan said, “‘Colours of India’ is a tribute to the unity that lies in our diversity. Every step, every rhythm tonight reflected not only the beauty of Indian dance but the cultural dialogue that binds us across regions. The Annual Day celebration also recognises the dedication of our students and teachers, applauding excellence, perseverance, and progress.”
Rakesh Sai Babu added, “We envisioned this production as a living canvas—where classical discipline meets folk vitality, and ancient traditions are carried forward by today’s generation of dancers.”
By integrating expressive lighting design with classical and contemporary dance, the festival offered audiences a transformative experience—one that honors cultural roots while embracing the future of performance art. Through this event, young artists and technicians are encouraged to explore the limitless potential of creative collaboration, fostering innovation and artistic growth.
With Colours of India, Trikayaa Dance Foundation reaffirmed its place as a vibrant cultural institution, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists while celebrating the timeless beauty of India’s performing arts.
