News DeskDubai, UAE – The 4th edition of NANDA GOKULA, a summer recital of Indian classical dance, captivated over 400 arts and culture enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds at the Horizon International School in Dubai. The event, organized by Dubai-based performing arts and music academy NANDA by ISWARYA, showcased the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family).
More than 50 UAE-based dancers representing over 10 Indian states performed various classical and semi-classical dance forms, including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam. The recital was choreographed by Guru Smt Iswarya Bharadwaj, founder of NANDA and a celebrated Indian classical dancer.
Chief Guests Prof Peter Barlow, Executive Director of Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, and Shri Jitendra Vaidya, President of Indian People’s Forum (IPF UAE), presided over the event. Several organizations supported the recital, including IPF UAE, Karnataka Sangha Dubai, and various local businesses.
Smt Iswarya Bharadwaj, a young pregnant mother who left her corporate career to focus on performing arts, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to spread Indian classical dance in the UAE. She highlighted the uniqueness of this year’s recital, saying, “NANDA GOKULA 2024 is my most favorite as we showcased concepts never seen before and celebrated several cultures, all through the lens of Indian classical dance.”
The event also honored several cultural and community leaders, including social service champion Smt Uma Shankri and Karnataka Sangha Dubai President Shri Shashidhar Nagarajappa, among others.
Smt Iswarya, who has performed on over 500 stages internationally and received numerous awards, shared her aspiration to one day perform for the Prime Ministers of UAE and India, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shri Narendra Modi, respectively.
The successful recital underscored the growing appreciation for Indian classical dance in the UAE and the cultural diversity fostered in the region.
