Four weeks, four ideas

Sreeram Venkat, Vocalist

On Opening Night of Wonderful India Festival, allow yourself to be swept away in a uplifting performance of the classical music tradition from South India as you peruse artwork in the Gallery Hall.

Enjoy a Carnatic music concert featuring Carnatic vocalist Sreeram Venkat, accompanied by Shwetha Ramachandran on violin and Krish Mohan on mridangam.

About the Performers

Sreeram Venkat has been learning Carnatic Music since the age of 5. He started learning from Smt. Shyamala Krishna in Kansas and later was under the tutelage of Smt. Geetha Ganesh in Cary, Sri Malladi Suribabu, and Smt. Malladi Vasavi in India. Currently, he is learning from Sri. Madurai R. Sundar in Detroit. He has given concerts and lecture-demonstrations throughout the USA and in India during the December Music Season. Sreeram graduated from NC State with degrees in Physics and Applied Mathematics. He is now doing his PhD at UT Austin in Computational Science, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Shwetha Ramachandran has been under Vidushi Dr. R Hemalatha’s tutelage since 2009. She is also a Carnatic vocalist and is a student of Vidwan N Vijay Siva. She has performed in venues across Chennai, and has won prizes in competitions conducted by various sabhas. She is currently a software engineer at NXP Semiconductors in Austin.

Krish Mohan is an eighth grader in Cedar Valley Middle School. He has been learning Mridangam under the tutelage of Dr. Ravi Balasubramanian who is a renowned Ghatam artist. Krish did his mridangam arangetram accompanying Sai Sisters (Kiran and Nivi). Krish has performed at several events at Portland, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. He has participated and won prizes in music competitions conducted by prestigious organizations.

Opening Night features exciting performances by local dancers specializing in classical Indian dance forms, including Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam.

About the Performers

Natyalaya School of Dance

Students from Natyalaya School of Dance, Hema Ramaswamy, Sangeetha Shanmugam, and Kanmoni Prijoe, have been undergoing training under Guru Gayathri Iyer and mentoring under Guru Vineetha Subramanian. Hema, Sangeetha, and Kanmoni successfully completed the Bharatanatyam Margam (dance curriculum) in 2022. They have been performing in various events in and around Austin, and they are now preparing for their Arangetram later this summer.

Narthana

Sandhya and Praveena of Narthana have been performing mohiniyattam together for several years now. Mohiniyattam is an Indian classical dance form originating from the state of Kerala in southern India. This dance form projects the essence of feminine grace as lasya, through delicate footsteps, undulating body movements, and subtle yet poignant facial expressions. For Sandhya and Praveena, dance is an art of mindfulness, letting the body lead the way as move through the world one step at a time.

Devi School of Dance

Devi School of Dance was founded by Preya Mangalat-Patel with the intention of creating a passion for classical Indian dance, specifically Bharatanatyam, while instilling the inherent theoretical and practical knowledge particular to Indian classical dance as written in the Natyasastra, the ancient treatise on performing arts.

Visual Arts Workshop

Warli art is renowned for both for its simplicity and profound storytelling capabilities. Utilizing basic geometric shapes such as circles, triangles, and squares, Warli artists intricately weave narratives of rural life, spirituality, and community bonds onto canvas. The minimalist style, characterized by white motifs on a mud or charcoal background, imparts a timeless elegance to each creation.

In this workshop, Sowmya will demonstrate the foundational elements of Warli art and lead attendees through a hands-on step-by-step process to create their Warli art piece that they can take home with them. No previous arts experience is required to participate. This is an all-ages, family-friendly workshop for all levels of experiences and abilities.

About the Presenter

Born and raised in the vibrant tapestry of India, Sowmya Bondugulapati discovered her passion for art amidst a childhood filled with diverse cultural expressions and the kaleidoscope of nature’s wonders. For her, art is the profound appreciation of wonder captured in myriad forms. It is the exquisite dance of colors on canvas, the intricate play of light and shadow, and the silent poetry of shapes and lines. In every stroke of the brush, in every sculpture’s curve, she finds the magic of existence unfolding before her eyes. Throughout her growth as an artist, Sowmya has remained deeply rooted in her Indian heritage as she continues to immerse herself in the world of art, constantly seeking new avenues of expression and inspiration.

Music Lecture-Demo

Mathematics plays a key role in several of the improvisational schemes used in Carnatic music. Many compositions also have complex mathematical components in their structure, and Carnatic percussionists use a plethora of mathematical patterns while accompanying or playing solo.

In this engaging presentation, Sreeram Venkat will introduce foundational elements of Carnatic music (raga, tala) and describe how mathematical patterns can be used when improvising in a song. He will address how basic mathematical concepts (for example, modular arithmetic) relate to Carnatic music and demonstrate each of the concepts through live musical examples with his accompanists.

About the Presenter

Sreeram Venkat has been learning Carnatic Music since the age of 5. He started learning from Smt. Shyamala Krishna in Kansas and later was under the tutelage of Smt. Geetha Ganesh in Cary, Sri Malladi Suribabu, and Smt. Malladi Vasavi in India. Currently, he is learning from Sri. Madurai R. Sundar in Detroit. He has given concerts and lecture-demonstrations throughout the USA and in India during the December Music Season. Sreeram graduated from NC State with degrees in Physics and Applied Mathematics. He is now doing his PhD at UT Austin in Computational Science, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Accompanying Artists

Sreeram will be accompanied by mridangam artist Krish Mohan and violinist Vedavarshini Raghavan.

Krish Mohan is an eighth grader in Cedar Valley Middle School. He has been learning Mridangam under the tutelage of Dr. Ravi Balasubramanian who is a renowned Ghatam artist. Krish did his mridangam arangetram accompanying Sai Sisters (Kiran and Nivi). Krish has performed at several events at Portland, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. He has participated and won prizes in music competitions conducted by prestigious organizations.

Vedavarshini Raghavan began learning Carnatic violin at the age of ten from her guru Sri Kalyan Gopalakrishnan, coming in the Lalgudi bANi, and Carnatic vocal music since the age of eight from her guru Smt. Kamakshi Kalyanasundaram. She also played western flute for her school band. She has won many prizes in competitions from established organizations in the U.S. Veda was blessed to perform her first concert accompanying her guru Smt. Kamakshi Kalyanasundaram, and she has performed in various festivals and events. She is currently a graduating senior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Biochemistry.

Opening Weekend features exciting performances by local dancers specializing in the classical Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam.

About the Performers

Akshainie Kamma

Akshainie Kamma has been training as a Bharatnatyam dancer for 11 years now, initially under Smt. Smitha Rajan of Nrityakshetra Temple of Dance in St. Louis, Missouri and currently under Smt. Vinitha Subramanian and Smt. Gayathri Iyer of Natyalaya School of Dance here in Austin, Texas. Some of the dancers who have had the greatest influence on her apart from her gurus are eminent dancers such as Sri Parshwanath Upadhye, Smt. Shruti Gopal, and Kum. Harinie Jeevitha. She has had the opportunity to perform on several stages, including for VTSeva, IFA, Kala Darpan, as well as various local temples, and will be completing her Bharatanatyam Arangetram this summer.

Shanmugapriya Murugakathiresan

Shanmugapriya Murugakathiresan is a technical lead at an MNC who continues to pursue her passion for classical dance. She commenced her journey in Bharathanatyam at the tender age of four under the able guidance of Guru. Smt. Ramalakshmi Elango and Guru. Smt. Roopashree Aravind. She has completed a course on Natyashastra and Karanas under the mentorship of Guru. Vithya Arasu. She has been learning Odissi from Guru. Smt Barnalee Sarkar for four years now. She has performed at various prestigious temples and shows in India and the USA. She has been a part of many dance productions in India and the USA and also staged two of her own productions, “Mayurika-The Tales of a Mystic Bird” a presentation with her friend, and “Skandhayah”, a solo presentation.

Sumangala Varun

Sumangala Varun is a Bharatanatyam dancer. She has trained under her Guru Smt. Rekha Dinesh for the last fifteen years and has been performing as a soloist for the last eleven years. She holds the Visharad degree from the Gandharva board and a master’s degree in Bharatanatyam from Jain University. She is a graded artist with Doordarshan. She has attended workshops of senior dancers including Guru Bragha Bessel, Guru Shankar Kandaswamy, Dr. CV and Jaya Chandrashekar among others. Having recently moved to the US, she has performed at several prestigious events in Austin, Houston, and Los Angeles.

Sinchana Hebbar

Sinchana Hebbar is a trained bharatanatyam dancer with over 10 years of experience under the tutelage of prolific Gurus. From a young age, her first Guru, Smt Shubangini Sudheendra, gave her wonderful opportunities to perform at various prestigious platforms including Doordarshan, Tirupati Brahmotsavam, Mantralaya Aradhana, Delhi Cultural Fest. When she became older and started performing more frequently, she met her mentor and inspiration Smt Rukmini Vijaykumar, who extended Bharatanatyam sessions into strength training and Yoga Practice. Sinchana relocated to the U.S. in 2022 and has continued her training online. She has performed at several high profile events in Austin and San Francisco, including Navika Kanna World Summit 2023 and Marghazi.

Pavithram Dance School

Pavithram Dance School is one of the premier institutions for learning the divine Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam in Austin, Texas. Smt. Pavithra Ramadoss is the founder and director of Pavithram Dance School in Austin, Texas. Having been initiated into Bharathanatyam at the age of four under Guru Smt. Nalini Balakrishnan, she performed her arangetram under the guidance of Guru Priyadarshini Ramchand, a senior disciple of Smt. Chitra Visweswaran. Pavithram Dance School’s performances are highly lauded for their emphasis on Abhinaya and beautiful Sancharis, particularly in the Varnam. Pavithra has several arangetrams to her credit and under her able guidance, Pavithram Dance School has blossomed into a highly sought-after institution for learning Bharathanatyam.

On this special Saturday evening, gather with other community members in an uplifting and auspicious evening of group kirtan singing in celebration of the festival opening. No prior experience with kirtan is necessary; all are welcome to participate and experience the uplift of this community gathering with singing led by Art of Living Band. Singing will begin around 6pm.

About the Greater Austin Art of Living Band

The satsang by the Art of Living band is a musical journey into Kirtan music sung primarily in Sanskrit, an ancient language known for its healing vibrations. Art of Living Band musicians fuse their diverse backgrounds in rock, soul, world and jazz music with their love for meditation and yoga to bring expression to this beautiful form of meditative singing.

The band has performed in several locations in Austin in front of a crowd of hundreds. All band members actively volunteer on community service projects and use their music to help harmonize, heal and uplift the people around them.

The Art of Living band is inspired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian whose mission of uniting the world into a stress-free, violence-free family has inspired millions of people worldwide.

The band is composed of

Ganesh Vishnwanathan: Vocals/Guitar,

Yamuna Selvanathan: Vocals,

Niru Rajagopal: Vocals,

Katherine Boswell: Harmonium,

Nitish Mehta: Drums,

Selva Kumaraswamy: Drums.

Group Yoga Session

Experience yoga combined with dance movements, postures, and poses in a group natya yoga session led by Venkatesh Acharya.

This workshop is geared toward beginning and intermediate yoga students. Attendees must supply their own yoga mats and water bottles. Wear comfortable clothing suitable for a yoga class.

About the Presenter

Venkatesh Acharya is a daytime engineer and during the evenings he dons the cap of dance and yoga teacher. He was born and brought up in a small town on the shores of sun kissed Arabian Sea, Udupi in India. Udupi is famous for food, music and dance. Venkatesh grew up eating, dancing while enjoying music. He is trained in the classical dance form Bharathanatyam and the folk style Yakshagaana, and he conducts yoga workshops regularly.

Lecture and Guided Meditation

Breathe Well, Live Well: Harnessing the Power of Breath for Mental Wellness

Do you know our breath can be used as a tool to de-stress and energize at the same time?Mental wellness is as important as physical wellbeing, but it’s often overlooked. Meditation and breathing can play an important role in addressing mental wellbeing.

In this presentation, Selva Kumaraswamy, specialist in meditation and breathwork, will talk about the tendencies of the mind and how to use breathing techniques to manage stress. The talk will conclude with a live guided meditation session led by the presenter. Attendees will discover how our breath can serve as a powerful tool for both relaxation and rejuvenation simultaneously.

About the Presenter

Selva Kumaraswamy is a seasoned technology entrepreneur with a rich background spanning over 23 years in the industry. He has held key leadership positions including founding principal of a successful consulting practice, CEO of an early-stage startup, and CTO for several startups.Selva has been practicing meditation for over 2 decades. He has gone through over 1000 hrs. of training teaching meditation, and breath work, and conducts resilience training workshops. In his leisure time, Selva finds joy in playing the drums, engaging in carpentry, and cultivating vegetables on his farm, embracing a well-rounded and fulfilling lifestyle.

Dance Workshop

Enjoy an introduction to Rajasthani folk culture through an exciting and colorful dance workshop presented by Mumal Joshi of Wing School of Arts.

During the workshop, you’ll enjoy live demonstration by Mumal, followed by hands-on instruction in specific moves. You can also try on some of the colorful Rajasthani outfits. The workshop caters to all ages and levels of experience.

About the Presenter

Wing School of Arts is a cultural beacon in Austin, Texas, founded by the visionary Mumal Joshi. With a mission to celebrate and preserve the rich traditions of Rajasthan, Wing School of Arts has been a cornerstone of Rajasthani folk dance and music for the past decade. Led by Mumal Joshi, a trained Rajasthani folk dancer and radio-approved folk singer, the school offers a vibrant array of dance forms steeped in tradition, brought to life through Mumal’s expertise as the lead choreographer. Under Mumal’s guidance, students not only learn various folk dances of India but also have the opportunity to delve deep into the intricate artistry of Rajasthani dance forms. The school’s commitment to cultural preservation extends beyond its classes, with certification programs available to enthusiasts eager to master the essence of Rajasthan’s diverse dance heritage. Through Wing School of Arts, Mumal Joshi ensures that the vibrant culture of Rajasthan continues to thrive, resonate, and inspire for generations to come.

Music Lecture and Demonstration

An engaging introduction to the science of ragas, or the melodic elements, of Carnatic classical music and how they can be incorporated into world music.

In this presentation, Chaya Rao will take you through the journey of evolution of ragas in Carnatic music, explain their mathematical application, show the key to the 72 root ragas as well as the principle behind ragas formed as subsets of the roots. Chaya will also explain the connection between tonal and modal music, healing qualities of ragas quoted in literature and presence of ragas in various genres of world music and how best one can infuse them in their practice. There will be opportunity for Q & A at the end.

About the Presenter

Chaya Rao is a long time musicologist, music enthusiast and writer/blogger. She was wide exposure to Indian Classical & Western Classical genres. Chaya is also fluent in Rock, Jazz, Blues and motion picture soundtracks from around the world. Chaya comes from a musically inclined family and frequently interacts with great musicians such as Maestro Ilaiyaraja, Ranjini-Gayathri, Guitar Prasanna, Rajesh Uppulapu, Palakkad Sriram and several others. Currently, she learns music theory of the east and west under the tutelage of Sri. Guitar Prasanna. Chaya was an RJ for a classical music program called Raga Cafe at Karma Radio. Chaya is the board of Director at Austin Classical Guitar and a volunteer at KMFA Classical Radio, Austin. Chaya is also a documentary film maker, culinary & travel enthusiast and she has travelled to 30+ countries and experienced the local music of most. Her daytime job/profession is in tech training. Currently, she is the Director of Training Development at Tanium Inc.

Music Lecture and Demonstration

An engaging introduction to the unique aspects of Indian classical music, led by Dr. C.M. Venkatachalam. The lecture will address both melodic and rhythmic elements, as well as provide an overview of instruments commonly employed.

Enjoy video examples with demonstrations by musicians. A live demonstration of veena, an ancient instrument used in Indian music, will be presented by Poornima Rao.

About the Presenters

Dr. C. M. Venkatachalam was introduced to music at a very early age by his parents. He studied under Late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar and under Kollam Harihara Bhagavatar in Chennai, India. He also learns with his aunt Smt Bala Narasimhan of Ottawa. He considers the Late Sangitha Kalanidhi T. Viswanathan to be his mAnasika guru from whom he derives inspiration for teaching music. Several music students are trained and guided at Doraiswamy Home of Music founded by him in 1997 in San Diego and later in Austin. Venkatachalam has been active in organizing concerts and also dealing with audio/video arrangements for concerts. He is one of the founding trustees of Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego, CA. In 1999, Cleveland Aradhana Committee bestowed on him the title “Kala Seva Mani”. In 2012 Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego presented him with the title “Sangeetha Seva Rathna”. He has a Ph D in molecular biophysics. He was a faculty in University of Michigan and University of Alabama in Birmingham. He worked as a senior scientist in a software company for 23 years to develop computer algorithms for designing drugs.

Poornima Rao started learning Carnatic vocals from her mother Smt. Vijaya Subramhanyam, got her initial training in Veena from her sister, Smt. Sangeetha Srinidhi and subsequently took advanced training from renowned flute artist from the Mali school, Vidwan AV Prakash. She has studied sugama sangeetha extensively under Smt. H.R. Leelavathi, a recipient of the CCRT Scholarship and a graded AIR and Doordarshan artist. She has composed and directed musical ensembles for groups such as Stage Sanchaar and for community events including features for Indian Raga Labs. She is an active musician and active in local music organizations. Poornima continues to learn from visiting artists and local maestros alike, and teaches Saraswathi Veena and vocals. She currently works as a Product manager at Bio-Rad Laboratories.

This weekend features mesmerizing performances by Carnatic classical musicians and local dancers specializing in the classical Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam.

About the Performers

Chakradhar Bandla

Chakradhar Bandla has been practicing vocal music since the age of 5. All of his learnings are from his gurus: Lakshmi Ma’am and Ananthapadmanabha Rao Sir. He measures his success according to the peace of mind he gets while singing or listening to classical music. Carnatic classical music is hiw way of connecting to the greater self.

Niyathi Mattapalli

Niyathi has been learning Bharatnatyam for the past 9 years, at Natyalaya School of Dance. Her gurus’ include Guru Vinitha Subramanian, who is director of Natyalaya, and Guru Vanitha Dorairaj. Her biggest achievements in Bharatnatyam include accomplishing my Salangai Pooja and Kalarchana.

Natyala School of Dance

Natyalaya School of Dance, established in 1982 by Vinitha Subramanian, is the oldest and largest classical Indian dance school in Central Texas, teaching primarily Bharatanatyam and folk dances. Their teachers and students perform in dozens of venues across Texas, the United States, and India every year, and have even been invited to perform in the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City this summer.

Rohit Dhamankar

Rohit Dhamankar believes in the “Nada Yoga” as a path to discover oneself and immerse in absolute bliss He took to Carnatic music as an adult, and has formerly been trained in Hindustani music in his childhood. He was trained by Dr. Bhamathi Sudarshan in Austin. He has taken advanced lessons from Kalaimamani Charumathi Ramachandran, a doyenne of MLV baani. He also honours the Carnatic Trinity by helping organize Tyagaraja Aradhana and Mudduswami Dikshitar/Shyama Shastri days in Austin every year. Professionally, Rohit is involved in technologies that help prevent hackers from breaking into networks. He has worked at many start-ups in the Austin area. He has traveled for work to over 30 countries, and enjoys travel and interacting with different cultures.

Kanmoni Prijoe

Kanmoni Prijoe started her dance journey at the age of five. She took training in various south Indian dance forms for over nine years, after which she took a break from dance as she focused on her higher education, career and raising her family. In 2019, she rekindled her formal training in Bharatanatyam, an ancient south Indian classical dance at Natyalaya, under Guru Gayathri Iyer. She also had the opportunity to train under Guru Vineetha Subramaniam and Guru Suma Krishnamurthy. She completed the Bharatanatyam Margam (dance curriculum) in 2022 and is now preparing for her Arangetram in Chennai, India, this summer.

Shalini Vijayarajan

Shalini Vijayarajan is a student, performer, choreographer and teacher of Bharathnatyam. She has been trained in Bharatanatyam in the Vazhuvur Ramaya Pillai style under Guru K.J. Sarasa (4 years) and Bharathanrithyam under Guru Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam (10+ years). A Nritya Praveshika and Nritya Visharada, she learned the 108 karanas of Natyashastra under Guru Dr.Padmasubrahmanyam. She has given various performances in India and US individually and also been part of many dance dramas with her guru. Shalini recently started her own dance school, Krityagnya Natyashala, which aims to help children learn the art form along with its values and have fun in the process.

Hamsa Veerendra

Hamsa is a software engineer and today is going to perform a recital on Bharatnatyam. Her artistry is from 16 years of training in the Pandanallur School of Bharatnatyam under Guru Dr. K S PAvithra. Holding the prestigious title of Vidwath, the highest level in dance examinations by the Karnataka Board of Secondary Education, she has imparted knowledge by examining and judging numerous students for the Karnataka State Board. She is the recipient of a fellowship in Bharatanatyam from the Ministry of Culture, India. She has graced stages across South India with captivating solo performances, enchanting audiences with her grace and precision. Hamsa’s journey is a testament to her dedication and passion for the classical art form of Bharatanatyam.

Lecture and Experiential Yoga Session

A 5- Dimensional Framework for Holistic Health and Well-Being

Explore a 5-part approach toward holistic well-being in an engaging lecture by Adinarayanan Venkatachalam. The talk blends yogic practices, Ayurvedic food insights, tools from Indic psychology and cognition, meditation, and guided self-reflection.

Panchakoshiya Vikas is a framework to look at bringing holistic development by nurturing the five koshas or dimensions of human life, including the physical, vital, emotional, cognitive and spiritual. The “Panchakosha” framework is born out of the Upanishadic truths and the insights of Siddhas, Seers, and Yogis which inform us of the divine intelligence that is embedded in our lives. The framework of the Panchakosha is holistic, simple to understand, and provides a lot of scope for action and implementation.

About the Presenter

Siddhayogi Adinarayanan, Founding Guru of Anaadi Foundation, is a visionary who inspires contemporary seekers by making the rich spiritual parampara of India relevant to them. The insights that he shares in his various programs come from personal realizations of the Upanishadic truths that emerged from more than 25 years of Yogic Practice, Swadhyaya of Indian spiritual literature and more than 250 days of Mouna Tapasya in complete silence and isolation. He has also co-founded the Anaadi Dharma Gurukulam at his ashram in Palani, India. He has an MS in Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University and spent more than a decade in academia teaching courses in Computer Science, Yoga and Mahabharata. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Practice at IIT Delhi. More about Anaadi Foundation here: www.anaadi.org

Lecture and Q & A (Hybrid Session)

India’s Education Heritage: When Art Was Not Separate from Science

Enjoy a fascinating presentation by Sahana Singh addressing the system of education in ancient India.

Sahana’s talk will take listeners on a journey to Ancient India in which students lived with their Gurus to learn a variety of arts, all of them rooted in science and spirituality. The ecosystem of learning attracted students far and wide and laid the basis for many disciplines that we study in universities today.

This is a hybrid session during which Sahana will be delivering her live presentation remotely to attendees. In-person attendees will have the opportunity for live Q & A with the presenter.

About the Presenter

Sahana Singh is an author and commentator currently based in the United States. With a professional background in environmental engineering, she brings a unique perspective to her writing, with her grasp of diverse subjects such as Indian history, water management, and education. Her first book “The Educational Heritage of Ancient India: How an Ecosystem of Learning was Laid to Waste” has been appreciated for awakening Indians to the role played by India in spreading knowledge around the world. The book has garnered acclaim for its compelling narrative, awakening readers to the profound impact of India’s intellectual legacy.

Building on the success of her first book, Sahana’s second work, “Revisiting the Educational Heritage of India,” published by Vitasta, offers a deeper exploration into India’s distinctive ecosystem of learning. In this work, she meticulously unravels the layers of India’s knowledge-centric society, connecting it with the major academic disciplines pursued today.

Sahana Singh’s work serves as a beacon for those seeking a deeper understanding of India’s cultural and educational roots. Her passion for enlightening others about the enduring legacy of Indian knowledge reflects a dedication to fostering an appreciation for the historical contributions that continue to shape our contemporary world.

Friday evening on Week 3 of the Festival features performances by young artists studying Indian classical music and dance traditions.

Celebrate these young artists and their efforts to experience and preserve the deep cultural knowledge embedded in Indian artistic practices and systems.

Visual Arts Workshop

Learn the techniques of kolam, an ancient art form originating from South India known for its intricate use of geometric patterns and vibrant colors. Enjoy a hands-on workshop and demonstration led by Swathy Vasudevan and try your hand at creating kolam through the rhythmic repetition of dots, lines, and curves.

No previous experience needed. Swathy will guide you to create your own kolam patterns through a meditative process that is both visually rewarding and spiritually enriching.

Workshop recommended for ages 10 and above.

About the Presenter

Enter the world of Swathy Vasudevan, a luminary Kolam artist seamlessly bridging ancient artistry with modern innovation. By day, she navigates the tech world as an executive, while her passion for preserving culture shines through her intricate Kolam designs. Beyond art, she is a dedicated philanthropist leading the Austin Chapter of Aim for Seva as well as leading Sur Darbar a non-profit to promote and elevate classical Indian music. Passionate about preserving heritage, Swathy joyfully shares this beautiful art form with others, especially the future generations, fostering a legacy of creativity and cultural appreciation. With each Kolam stroke, she paints a pathway to cultural enrichment and artistic delight.

Lecture and Discussion

One of the most contentious topics in prehistory today is to address who the Indians are. Colonial studies using linguistics proposed that Central Asians invaded or migrated to India during 1500 BCE, effectively replacing the existing civilization. While this received wisdom continues to dominate history textbooks in USA and the world, it is rejected by a vast section of Indians who believe otherwise. Today multi-disciplinary science from diverse areas such as genetics, archaeology, climatology, geology, astronomy are revealing the truth about the Indian civilization. The speaker will take the audience on a vast journey over time, harnessing published scientific results to bear upon the antiquity of the Indian civilization.

About the Presenter

Dr. Raj Vedam is an Electrical Engineer, with many years of multi-disciplinary work experience in diverse industries including Power, Aircraft, analog and digital Electronic Design Automation, and Oil & Gas. With several journal and conference papers and patents, he is an innovation leader, with current interests including optimization, modeling and machine learning.

Raj Vedam’s research on the roots of modern sciences, mathematics and technology has led to new insights. Whereas Western narratives favor the origin of astronomy and math (among other fields) as having originated outside India and imported into India during various invasions, Raj Vedam’s multi-disciplinary studies reveal otherwise. His research proposes an ancient Indian civilization that made advances in several fields of knowledge.

As Public Speaker, he has delivered over 300 talks in various cities in India & USA. His YouTube videos have more than 4 million views. He is a visiting faculty at Hindu University of America (Florida), Rishihood University (Haryana, India), and Arsha Seva Kendram (Coimbatore, India) and offers courses on his research findings. He is on the advisory council of Dharma Civilization Foundation (California).

Saturday evening of the third week of Wonderful India Festival features a curated lineup of performances by local artists specializing in India’s traditional music and dance forms.

Enjoy performances of Carnatic music, Hindustani music, bharatanatyam dance, Odissi dance, Kathak dance, and more. Congruent with the weekend’s theme of celebrating transmission and the next generation, the lineup features several teen artists who are studying these traditions.

Indian Classical Music Experience

An eclectic, classical music experience that combines vocal, dance, and percussion forms of Indian music. The program highlights each musician’s unique artistry through solo performances, and culminates in two unique creative collaborations.

Presented by The Kotasthanes:

Sameer, a versatile musician employs various genres of music such as tarana, and bhajan to express the musical styles of legendary vocalists Ustad Amir Khan, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, and Pt. Kumar Gandharva.

Alap, a young tabla player performs complex compositions set to a variety of rhythmic cycles (7 beats, 12 beats, 16 beats) invoking the distinctive styles of Ustad Keramatullah Khan, Ustad Alla Rakha, and his own guru, Pandit Gourisankar.

Arohi, a young classical dancer showcases the elegant North Indian dance form, Kathak through intricate footwork, and graceful movement.

The three artists will combine vocal music, percussion and dance in two renditions, one showcasing powerful, complex patterns, and the other depicting the love between a playful, young Lord Krishna and his mother Yashoda.

About the Presenter

Over 25 years, Sameer Kotasthane has immersed himself in Indian classical vocal music, guided by luminaries like Pt. Vijay Koparkar, Dr. Ram Deshpande, and Mrs. Sangeeta Pandharpurkar. Their teachings introduced him to legends like Ustad Amir Khan, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Kumar Gandharva, and Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki, profoundly influencing his vocal style. He’s received the National Cultural Talent Scholarship and garnered numerous awards in India. His performances have aired on All India Radio and National Television. As an educator, he’s conducted lecture demonstrations for several Central Texas organizations, and taught more than fifty students in Austin, nurturing the next generation of musicians. Collaborating with world-renowned musicians in the ‘World Music Unleashed’ ensemble has been enriching, while accompanying distinguished artists like Dr. Prabha Atre and Pt. Ajay Pohankar has been a great blessing.

Lecture and Guided Meditation

Tantra: Myth vs. Reality: A Guided Introduction to Tantra Yoga

Over the years, tantra has been subjected to deep mis-translation and misrepresentation and has been presented as Tantric sex or as a ritualistic practice in the West. In this seminar we seek to dispel these myths and misconceptions around Tantra and present practical spiritual science of Tantra and how the path of Nivrtti Marga or Vidya Tantra brings about deep inner spiritual realization and helps to develop a sentient individual and society.

The talk will conclude with a guided spiritual music and meditation session by the yogis and provide a practical glimpse into Tantra Yoga.

More About Tantra

Tantra is a spiritual tradition which originated in the Indian Subcontinent in pre-historic times and subsequently systematized. Tantra emphasizes the development of human vigor both through the system of meditation and through facing difficult external situations to overcome all fears and weaknesses. Tantric spiritual practice consists of three qualitative stages that can be fused into one or remain separate: Shakta, Vaeshnaviiya, Shaeva. Shakta represents the determination to awaken the cognitive faculties of the mind to overcome physical ailments, psychic disorders, and social evils in the surrounding social environment. In the vaeshnaviiya stage the sadhaka remains absorbed in the desire to be one with the all pervading cosmic consciousness and in the Shaeva stage the sadhaka experiences a state of non-dual existence with the cosmic consciousness. Tantric spiritual practice is a combination of these three stages and consists of the process of raising the kundalini using the repetition of Mantra with a proper understanding of the essence of the spiritual practice.

About the Presenters

Dada Nabhaniilananda, is a Tantra yogi, a meditation instructor, an author, a keynote speaker and a musician. Born in New Zealand, he was ordained as a yoga monk in India in 1979 and has been teaching meditation for 40 years. His book on meditation has been translated into twelve languages and is a standard text for meditation teachers all over the world. In addition to writing both fiction and non-fiction books, Dada has won several international song-writing awards, recorded eight musical albums and performed and spoken in more than forty countries, including playing to more than 10,000 people at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit where he appeared onstage with the Dalai Lama. Dada now lives in Silicon Valley, California, where he teaches courses and workshops at UC Berkeley, Apple, NVIDIA, Google, CISCO, Lam Research Intel and Facebook. Dada has also widely presented on the topic of AI and the Mind in the Silicon Valley.

Acarya Dhyanesh, got his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree specializing in Eco-Village design. During his student days, Acarya Dhyanesh studied Kriya yoga (SRF), Kripalu Yoga, Integral Yoga, Tibetan Tantric Yoga, Kundalini yoga, and with the Hopi till he found his guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. Dhyaneshji married Jamuna in Kolkata in 1984 and has three children. Since then, Dhyaneshji has been balancing family life, landscape architecture company Oasis Gardens and Tantra Yoga practices. Dhyanesh started the University Yoga Club at University Of Texas, Austin and has been teaching every week from 1984 with over 7,000 students having participated in his Yoga classes. Ac. Dhyanesh also built and managed a 10 acre urban farm with student cooperatives and 30 family membership with an amphitheater for humanitarian relief benefit concerts from 1997-2012. He also built a 3 acre eco-solar envelope homestead for seminars and collective meditation. In the last 35 years, Ac. Dhyanesh has helped design 20 Yoga Meditation Eco-Villages in California, New York, North Carolina, India, Russia, Phillipines, Italia, Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, and Denmark. He also graduated from Tatvika training in Benares, India in 2002 and received his Tantra Acarya training in Puri, India in 2008.

Teen Night

An engaging exploration on how arts, music, and dance can be used to support individual spiritual pursuits and overall well-being, presented by Tara Srinivasan (bharatanatyam dancer) and Nilesh Goswami (visual artist). Through engaging presentations geared specifically for their fellow teens, these young artist presenters will share their revelations about the positive benefits of the arts through hands-on demonstrations, live art-making, and interactive discussions.

All are welcome to attend, especially teens interested in learning more about the arts and holistic wellbeing overall, as well as young individuals interested in learning more about India’s art, dance, and music traditions specifically. Teen-friendly snacks will be available.

Parents:

Parents can remain onsite to observe the teen session or attend the adult session in the Gallery Hall next door at the same time. The evening will conclude with group kirtan singing led by members of Round Rock ISKCON in the Gallery Hall.

Schedule

6:00p: Bharatanatyam As a Path to Wellbeing, presented by Tara Srinivasan

7:00p: Spirituality through Art and Creative Expression, presented by Nilesh Goswami

About the Speakers

Tara Srinivasan, a Westlake High School freshman, has studied Bharatanatyam for a decade under the tutelage of Smt. Vidhya Mani. She completed her Arangetram at the Dell Performing Arts Center and was then invited to perform at Guruvayoor temple in Kerala. With 7+ years of diverse dance training in ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop at Alisa’s Dance Academy and as a member of Austin Dance Elite, she was recently selected as a member of Westlake High School’s award-winning dance drill team, Hyline. Tara has mentored young dancers and conducted free camps in Austin and India. Beyond dance, she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, and inspired by the efforts of the African community around Kilimanjaro, Tara embarked on a project to raise funds and supplies for them to help make a positive impact on their lives. Tara exudes a passion for both artistry and altruism, embodying a multifaceted personality.

Nilesh Goswami is a visual artist whose main goal is to understand the supreme truth through art as process. He is a self-taught artist, and his medium is currently digital art. With his father’s guidance, he started exploring art long before he can recall and has been doing it ever since. His most influential teachers and inspirations have been great musicians and composers, such as Thyagaraja, Andal, Surdas, and classical singers including M.S. Subbulakshmi, Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Prabha Atre, along with many others. The aim of his artwork is to reveal the deeper connection between all art forms, especially between visual art, singing, and dancing, and how all of these work together to reveal the Supreme Truth.

Lecture and Discussion

What India Can Teach the World: Ten Big Ideas from Indian Philosophy

How would the world look if seen through the conceptual framework of Indian philosophy? While a lot of studies focus on the contribution of Indian philosophical traditions in the past, Sunil Vasisht asks what might be their future contributions.

Join us for an engaging lecture and discussion session examining how frameworks and ideas from Indian philosophy might contribute to the future progress of human

About the Presenter

Sunil Vasisht is an entrepreneur who has built two healthcare startups in the Houston area. He has had a series of leadership roles at Hewlett Packard Company, where he honed his skills in driving innovation and leading teams to success. Sunil’s academic background includes a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA, providing him with a solid foundation in both technology and business.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Sunil is actively engaged in community service. He has dedicated over 18 years to teaching Vedanta, an ancient Indian philosophy, to groups in The Woodlands, Texas. His commitment to education and personal growth is further exemplified by his leadership of a study group that recently celebrated completing 12 years of continuous Bhagavad Gita study. Sunil also brings together thought leaders and entrepreneurs annually to discuss the influence of the Gita on their personal and professional lives.

As a respected speaker, Sunil shares his expertise in healthcare at prominent conferences nationwide, contributing to the industry’s discourse on innovation and patient care.

Panel Discussion

A panel discussion drawing comparisons between Artificial Intelligence and the Human Mind, addressing perspectives on art and aesthetics and the impact of AI on human art. The speakers will highlight perspectives from the Bharatya Natyashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on art and aesthetics that describes thirty-three expressions of human emotions. They will address important talking points from discussions on the role of AI Quality to safeguard human art using emerging AI based technologies.

The speakers bring expertise in various fields from their working experience at leading firms such as IBM, Google, Deloitte and academic publications in the field of AI in addition to deep experience with Sanskrit, Yogic Psychology, and Performing Arts.

About the Panelists

Arunkumar Akkineni is an Austin based technologist who works in the field of Artificial Intelligence as an engineer and researcher. Arun currently serves as a Data Science Manager at Deloitte. Arun is also the first author on the confernce paper on “AI Quality and MLOPs” published in Intelligent Systems Design and Applications, 22nd International Conference on Intelligent Systems Design and Applications (ISDA 2022) Held December 12-14, 2022, Volume 4. Volume 717 of Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, pages 436-448, Springer, 2022. Arun brings a unique background in the intersection of “Artificial Intelligence and engineering AI for its safe and reliable usage”, Business, “Indian Knowledge Systems and its applications” and is deeply passionate about AI and its impact on Art, Indic Education, Aesthetics and Entrepreneurship. Arun brings with him a unique educational background having received a variety of degrees in Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Business Management from the University of Texas At Austin and Georgetown University (Washington D.C.).

Dada Nabhaniilananda, is a Tantra yogi, a meditation instructor, an author, a keynote speaker and a musician. Born in New Zealand, he was ordained as a yoga monk in India in 1979 and has been teaching meditation for 40 years. His book on meditation has been translated into twelve languages and is a standard text for meditation teachers all over the world. In addition to writing both fiction and non-fiction books, Dada has won several international song-writing awards, recorded eight musical albums and performed and spoken in more than forty countries, including playing to more than 10,000 people at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit where he appeared onstage with the Dalai Lama. Dada now lives in Silicon Valley, California, where he teaches courses and workshops at UC Berkeley, Apple, NVIDIA, Google, CISCO, Lam Research Intel and Facebook. Dada has also widely presented on the topic of AI and the Mind in the Silicon Valley.

Srini Raghavan, a senior technologist by profession, brings in a unique blend of engineering expertise, leadership and artistic sensibilities. He leverages a background in an entrepreneurial neuroscience startup, AI, theater arts and filmmaking( writing, direction, acting) and won several awards. Holding a Computer Engineering degree and a Master of Arts in Sanskrit Studies (majoring in Arts and Philosophy), Srini Raghavan demonstrates a lifelong commitment to learning and cultural exploration. He also serves on the board of Austin City Council. His passion for preserving ancient languages is further exemplified by serving as Education Director and volunteer teacher at Samskrita Bharati, an organization dedicated to reviving spoken Sanskrit. Srini has also served as lecturer at The University of Texas, Austin and taught Kannada language.