The Prasiddha Foundation, a distinguished cultural institution founded by eminent dancer Smt. Prathibha Prahlad, proudly commemorates its 40th anniversary with a grand three-day festival, ‘Prasiddha@40 – A Golden Era Redefined’. Taking place on March 10th, 11th, and 12th, 2025, at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, this milestone event is not just a celebration of the past but a commitment to the future—of nurturing art, fostering creativity, and preserving India’s rich cultural heritage.
At the heart of this landmark occasion is ‘Rāmāyaṇa Chaitrāvali’, a specially curated festival that brings forth unseen and untold stories from the Ramayana. More than just a performance, Rāmāyaṇa Chaitrāvali is an artistic and spiritual exploration, blending extraordinary talent, vibrant storytelling, and profound emotions to present Bharat’s sacred arts in a renewed and redefined manner. The festival will be inaugurated by distinguished luminaries from the public sphere, further reinforcing its significance as a cultural and artistic milestone.
Depicting the Essence of the Festival
The festival opens with ‘SĀMARTHYA – The Women of Ramayana’, a powerful dance-theatre production that reimagines the epic of Lord Rama through the dynamic force of the women in the Ramayana. Conceptualized and choreographed by Padma Shri awardee Smt. Prathibha Prahlad, SĀMARTHYA presents the resilience, sacrifice, and strength of key female figures, brought to life through Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, and Mohiniattam, offering a pan-Indian aesthetic to the performance.
On the second day, the festival presents ‘EKAM SAT’, an immersive production that compels audiences to see the divine in every atom of the universe, regardless of the name or form through which He is worshipped. Conceptualized and directed by Smt. Prathibha Prahlad, the production is co-choreographed by Mithun Shyam (Bharatanatyam), Rekha Raju (Mohiniattam), and Nidhaga Karunad (Kathak), uniting diverse traditions in a singular spiritual narrative.
Following EKAM SAT, three solo dance dramas present fresh perspectives on pivotal characters from the Ramayana:
‘RĀVANA – The Untold Story of the 11th Head’ by Sri. Surya N. Rao, portraying Ravana’s inner conscience, his 11th head, justifying his choices.
‘SAUMITRI – The Epitome of Unwavering Loyalty’ by Sri. P. Praveen Kumar, narrating Lakshmana’s courage, righteousness, and selflessness.
‘VĀYU PUTRA – Bhakti Redefined’ by Sri. Nidhaga Karunad, presenting the legendary Hanuman’s unparalleled devotion to Lord Rama.
The festival culminates on the third day with ‘BHARAT AFTER MAHATMA’, a thought-provoking dance-theatre production that visually interprets India’s post-independence journey—exploring representations of India as they are perceived, imagined, or dreamt. The production moves seamlessly across Bharatanatyam, Chhau, Thang Ta, and contemporary movement, symbolizing the battles that remain to be fought and the dreams yet to be realized.
Adding depth to the final evening, two solo performances will bring untold narratives to the forefront:
‘SHABARI – A Fable of Unwavering Faith’ by Sri. Satyanarayana Raju, depicting Shabari’s devotion to Lord Rama, leading to her spiritual liberation.
‘VĀLI – A Story of Courage and Invincibility’ by Sri. Mithun Shyam, an intense portrayal of Vaali, the mighty king of Kishkinda, drawing from Valmiki’s Ramayana.
For four decades, Prasiddha Foundation has stood as a beacon of artistic excellence, cultural diplomacy, and innovation under the visionary leadership of Smt. Prathibha Prahlad. Through Prasiddha@40, the foundation reaffirms its commitment to redefining the classical arts, preserving India’s sacred traditions, and creating new narratives for generations to come.
Discussion about this post