Saptami Music and Dance Festival
January 10th
GVRNKF Dallas as invited by the curator of "Mantapam", Smt. Nandini Kambi of Madhuradhwani Music school to represent two temples - the Konark Sun Temple and the Chidambaram temple through the medium of dance in this unique event bringing together visual artist, Akash Kambi, Nandiniji's music school, GVRNKF Dallas for Bharatanatyam and Renuka Rajagopalan for her contemporary presentation.
Aditi Battiprolu and Nikita Kambi presented.....
In the second half, Nikitha depicted a traveling dancer who encounters the Konark Sun Temple, a timeless marvel carved in stone. She beholds the Gajasimha, the seven horses, and the mighty wheels, in awe of the beautiful sculptures. Suddenly, the stone begins to breathe. She steps back in fear, but soon realizes—Surya’s eternal energy awakens the temple, flows through the sculptures, and pulses through her. The dancer soon surrenders to this cosmic force. She becomes part of the chariot—dancing with time, energy, and eternal radiance. Nikitha was accompanied by Niyati Iyer on the piano, playing Liszt: Legend No 2; St. Francis of Paola Walking on the Waves.
Natya Pradarshanam 2026
March 8th
The Plaza Theater, Garland
Annual Recital at The Plaza Theater, Garland
Glittering temple jewelry, flowers adorning our neatly tied braids, and the fluttering yet exciting feeling in our chests as we stepped on stage, all made Natya Pradarshnanam 2026 a memorable and rewarding experience. I had performed Shiva Kauthvam and Ranjani, two dance pieces that gave me various learning opportunities while allowing me to grow in different ways. Shiva Kauthvam gave me the opportunity to perform with live musicians for the first time teaching me to adapt and feel the rhythm at present, while Ranjani challenged my stamina, technique and learning approach. It taught me to challenge myself in ways I would have thought were far beyond my capabilities. Sharing the stage with dancers, younger and older, and of all skill levels, deepened my love and appreciation for the devotional discipline, art, and rhythm Bharatnatyam holds. (By Manasvi Pinge)
IFAA Natya Pratibha
March 21st
Coming soon...
Purandaradasa Aradhana at DFW Hindu Temple
March 21st
Coming soon...
Bharatiya Niwas
June 6th
Connecting generations through the joy of dance, GVRNKF students and their teacher gathered together to perform at the Bharatiya Nivas Senior Center. The program featured performances by Manasvi, Nikitha, Kashvi, Meera, Mehna, Sahasra, Joshvika, Ratna, and their teacher Seema Rao. The performers all delightfully shared their passion for dance through a range of well known pieces namely: Shyamala Meenakshi, Gananayakaya, Shyam Tori Murali, and Hanuman Chalisa.
The performances were warmly received by the lovely residents, who all expressed their praise and appreciation for the students’ hard work and dedication. One lovely moment came during Hanuman Chalisa, when many of the elders joined in singing along, creating a joyful and uplifting atmosphere.
Following the program the students were given a tour of Bharatiya Nivas, and had the opportunity to interact with the kind residents. In the end the visit made unforgettable and cherishable memories for all parties, and reinforced the love and power dance offers to connect communities with one another.
(Summary by Manasvi Pinge)
Arpana - Nikitha's 1st Arangetram Anniversary
August 8th
On August 8th, 2025, Nikitha Kambi completed her Bharatanatyam Arangetram, which prompted the anniversary program “Arpana” to take place on August 8th, 2026. Arpana consisted of 4 unique and varying pieces, serving as a concise yet diverse margam. The program began with a nritta based and unique Mallari (Raagam Nattai, Adi talam), choreographed by Acharya Seema Rao to include every Asamyuktha hasta, and an ending that invokes Lord Shiva. Following this invocation was a devotional abhinaya-based Tamil Keerthanam, Kana Vendamo (Sri Ranjani Ragam, Rupaka Talam, Papanasam Sivan). Throughout this piece, a devotee pleads Shiva to allow her to see his Gopuram in Chidambaram before her mortal body fades away. Next was Saddhu Madalu Bedavo (Kalyani Ragam, Adi Talam, Sri Purandara Dasa), an abhinaya based Kannada Padam originally choreographed by Smt. Rama Vaidyanathan. It depicts a Gopika being troubled by her lover Krishna through his flute-playing, with her afraid of anyone in the village catching them together. To complete the program, as an ode to the previous year, Seema Aunty rechoreographed the exact Tillana (Kathanakuthuhalam Ragam, Adi Talam, Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna) from Nikitha’s Arangetram, ending the program with a vibrant and active nritta based piece.
(Summary: Nikitha Kambi)
One word: WOW. Nikitha was just amazing. The event started with a Mallari, where she offered prayers to lord Nataraja. In the 2nd piece(Kaana Vendamo), she was very graceful with her nritta and her way of engaging the audience with the Bhakti of lord Shiva. It surely made us students watch her and get inspired by her nuances and the way she portrayed them. In the devarnama, she portrayed the mischief and playfulness of lord Krishna perfectly. In fact, all of her abhinaya was so beautiful. Finally, Nikitha concluded this beautiful evening with a Thillana that she did in her arangetram. It brought back memories of this day last year, when Nikitha absolutely set the stage on fire! Overall, Seema aunty and Nikitha chose very unique pieces in memory of this very special milestone. I really hope to see her perform more often - she really is a beautiful dancer. Her performance really inspired me to continue learning, even after arangetram. And seema aunty did a great job putting this special thing together - and I totally agree with Nandini aunty - we're so proud of Nikitha!!!
(Performance Review: by Anoushka Sriram)