Children participate in ‘Nagara Natya Sankirtana’ – a devotional dance rally held on Beach Road in Visakhapatnam on Sunday..
| Photo Credit: V. RAJU
A unique cultural and spiritual initiative ‘Nagara Natya Sankeertana’— a celebration of Indian classical dance and music was held on Beach Road in Visakhapatnam city on Sunday morning.
The event, organised by the Nataraj Music and Dance Academy, in association with ‘The Dance India Magazine’, brought together over 200 classical dancers, musicians, and devotees in a devotional procession. The rally commenced at the Ramakrishna Beach Kalimatha Temple and proceeded along the beachfront to the Annamacharya Statue. Participants rendered soulful `sankeertana’ and performed traditional dances all along the route.
Classical dancers trained in Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and Andhra Natyam, along with senior dance teachers, paid tribute to great saint-poets and the rich heritage of Indian classical arts. The procession drew widespread appreciation from the public and ‘rasikas’ lining the route.
This event served as a prelude to the upcoming International Traditional Dance Congress (ITDC-2026), scheduled to be held from January 2 to 4, 2026 at Kalabharathi AC Auditorium, Visakhapatnam.
The ITDC-2026 centred on preserving and propagating India’s classical dance and music traditions, with a special focus on the devotional compositions of saint-poets, will feature performances, seminars, and workshops.
Vikram Kumar B.R., founder-chairman of ITDC, said ‘Nagara Natya Sankeertana’ was conceived as a spiritual and artistic expression for ITDC-2026.
At the conclusion of the rally, certificates signed by Padma Shri awardees were presented to all the participating children in recognition of their artistic commitment and to encourage them to pursue classical dance and music with dedication and devotion.
The organisers expressed their heartfelt gratitude to cultural institutions, dance schools, parents, and art lovers in Visakhapatnam for their overwhelming support, and invited them to join hands to make ITDC-2026 a memorable, spiritually uplifting, and culturally enriching event for the city.
Published – December 21, 2025 07:52 pm IST
