Surabhi 2026 Showcases Indian Classical Dance at Worcester Venue
Multi-artist program by CIFA brings Bharatanatyam, Odissi, and thematic dance production to New England audiences
WORCESTER, Mass.— The Council of Indian Fine Arts of USA (CIFA) presented Surabhi 2026, an evening of Indian classical dance, at Doherty Memorial High School, bringing together performers and community members for a multi-part cultural program.
The event featured three principal performances spanning Bharatanatyam and Odissi traditions, along with a thematic dance production. Organizers said the program aimed to highlight classical Indian performing arts for audiences in New England.
Dr. K.G. Narayana, a community leader and trustee of the Sri Lakshmi Temple in Ashland, served as chief guest. He is also a member of the Ashland Board of Health, the Ashland Cultural Council, and the Ashland Conservation Commission. During the event, he encouraged continued community support for arts initiatives.
The program opened with a Bharatanatyam presentation by California-based artist Vivek Ramanan, who performed three pieces, including a devotional work dedicated to Lord Shiva, a narrative piece based on classical Tamil poetry, and a concluding number depicting the story of Krishna and the serpent Kaliya.
The second segment featured Boston-based Odissi dancer Priya Bangal. Her performance included a traditional invocation (Mangalacharan), a piece centered on the goddess Durga, and a concluding work based on the Radha-Krishna narrative from Odia literature.
The final segment of the evening was a full-length Bharatanatyam production titled Harini: Radiant with the Ultimate Nectar, performed by Meera Sreenarayanan of Guruvayur, Kerala. The production explored themes of devotion and spiritual journey through multiple compositions drawn from classical Indian texts and music traditions. The work incorporated elements from Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Odia, and Tamil literature, and featured music composed by Edappally Ajit Kumar with vocals by Bijeesh Krishna.
Event organizers said the production brought together narrative storytelling and classical technique to present a thematic interpretation of the relationship between the individual soul and the divine.
CIFA leadership, including President Nausheen Moulana and Vice President Hema Kalyanam, organized the event. The program was emceed by Mahima Cielappa and Kohal Das.
Surabhi 2026 is part of CIFA’s ongoing efforts to promote Indian classical arts in the United States through performances and community engagement.
