Nandanik Dance Troupe presented the first dance festival VILAYA, The Confluence, in 2018, for the first time a spectacular display showcasing seven out of eight genres of Indian classical dances all on the same platform. This year will showcase a grand display of Manipuri dance from the far eastern state of Manipur, Kalarippayattu, an ancient martial art form from the southern most state of Kerala, Bharatanatyam from Southern state of Tamil Nadu, Mayurbhanj Chhau from Eastern state of Odisha, and Navanritya and creative contemporary  dance style from eastern state of West Bengal. We have internationally acclaimed artists such as Sanjib Bhattacharya, Aparna Sindhoor, Anil Natyaveda, and Nandini Mandal performing along with the senior  company of Nandanik Dance Troupe.

With the support of the Lift Grant from the Greater Pittsburgh Art Council, Vilaya first opened in 2018 to a full house at Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall at Carnegie, PA. The dance genres represented different parts of India in their original costumes and style, the contents and presentation were rich in global context, and the audience could  relate to that both aesthetically and intellectually. The dances showcased both traditional and contemporary themes and content as we tried to present the emergence of new ideas, new stories from within the idioms of age old traditions and customs.

This event not only exposed the audience to the entire gamut of Indian classical dances but also presented thought provoking concepts from the Indian subcontinent. Dancers arrived from the USA and India to participate in this festival’s two day long discussions, exhibition, and performances.

So friends, sit back, relax and join the visual journey through an ancient land as we bring engaging and exciting  stories of Gods, Nature, and humans from the Indian subcontinent.