Thu Dec 18 19:30:45 UTC 2025: Summary:
The 30th NRI Festival of Music and Dance, along with the 36th Annual Festival of Music, Drama, and Dance, organized by Hamsadhwani, was inaugurated at the Youth Hostel in Indira Nagar, Chennai, on Thursday. Vaishnavi Vasudevan, Consul (Political) of Singapore in Chennai, emphasized the importance of parents and teachers in fostering talent among non-resident Indian artists and promoting Carnatic music. The NRI festival will feature 75 artists, mostly from overseas, showcasing 26 programs over 13 evenings. The annual festival will include 30 events on weekends, running from January 18th to April 14th, 2026. The inaugural event concluded with a Kuchipudi dance performance.
News Article:
Hamsadhwani’s NRI Music and Dance Festival Celebrates 30 Years, Inaugurated in Chennai
CHENNAI, INDIA – December 19, 2025: Hamsadhwani’s 30th NRI Festival of Music and Dance kicked off on Thursday at the Youth Hostel in Indira Nagar, Chennai, alongside the 36th Annual Festival of Music, Drama, and Dance.
The event was inaugurated by Vaishnavi Vasudevan, Consul (Political) of the Republic of Singapore in Chennai, who highlighted the vital role of parents and teachers in nurturing artistic talent within the non-resident Indian community and in preserving the tradition of Carnatic music.
“Striking a balance between academics and fine arts is a challenge, but such promising talent among young artists must be encouraged,” Ms. Vasudevan noted, drawing from her personal experiences.
K.V.S. Gopalakrishnan, former IPS officer and president of P.S. Educational Society, emphasized the global influence of Indian music through cross-cultural collaborations.
According to Hamsadhwani secretary R. Sundar, this year’s NRI festival will feature 75 artists, with approximately 60 hailing from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Malaysia, and Singapore. A total of 26 programs are scheduled across 13 evenings, including a remembrance event for Hamsadhwani founder R. Ramachandran on January 1, 2026. The annual festival promises 30 events, including dramas and concerts, taking place on weekends between January 18th and April 14th, 2026.
The inaugural event concluded with a vibrant Kuchipudi dance performance by Sailaja and students from the Sailasudha Arts Academy. The festivals promise a rich celebration of Indian arts and culture both at home and abroad.
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