Shakti - Festival of Music and Dance from 9th to 17th April

In a remarkable endeavor to revive and celebrate the rich temple traditions of India, the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the national academy of performing arts, is organizing a festival titled 'Shakti – Festival of Music and Dance' at seven different Shaktipeeths (sacred sites dedicated to the Divine Feminine) across the country. This grand event, scheduled from 9th to 17th April 2024, coincides with the auspicious occasion of Navaratri, symbolizing the power of the nine goddesses.

Reviving Temple Traditions

The 'Shakti - Festival of Music and Dance' is part of the Akademi's ongoing 'Kala Pravah' series, which aims to rejuvenate the age-old traditions associated with temples in India. These sacred spaces have been the cradles of performing arts, nurturing and preserving various forms of music, dance, and theater for centuries.

By organizing this festival at seven revered Shaktipeeths, the Akademi seeks to not only showcase the rich cultural heritage but also to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of these traditions among contemporary audiences.

The Seven Shaktipeeths

The festival will traverse seven renowned Shaktipeeths, each associated with the divine feminine energy and revered for its spiritual significance:

1.  Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati (Assam)

2.  Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur (Maharashtra)

3.  Jwalamukhi Temple, Kangada (Himachal Pradesh)

4.  Tripura Sundari, Udaipur (Tripura)

5.  Ambaji Temple, Banaskantha (Gujarat)

6.  Jai Durga Shaktipeeth, Deoghar (Jharkhand)

7.  Maa Harsidhi Temple, Jaisinghpur, Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh)

These sacred sites, steeped in history and mythology, will serve as the backdrop for a rich tapestry of performances, celebrating the diverse musical and dance traditions of India.

Celebrating Navaratri and the Divine Feminine

The timing of the festival, coinciding with the auspicious Navaratri celebrations, holds profound significance. Navaratri, which literally translates to "nine nights," is a celebration of the nine forms of the Divine Feminine, representing different aspects of Shakti (divine energy).

By organizing the 'Shakti - Festival of Music and Dance' during this period, the Akademi aims to honor and celebrate the divine feminine energy that permeates the cultural fabric of India. The performances will not only entertain but also invoke a sense of reverence and connection with the sacred feminine.

Preserving and Promoting Indian Performing Arts

As the national academy of performing arts, the Sangeet Natak Akademi has been entrusted with the responsibility of preserving, researching, and promoting the diverse performing art forms of India. This includes music, dance, drama, folk and tribal art forms, and other allied art forms that have been nurtured within the country's cultural landscape.

Through the 'Shakti - Festival of Music and Dance,' the Akademi aims to showcase the rich tapestry of Indian performing arts, providing a platform for artists to share their talents and for audiences to appreciate the depth and diversity of these art forms.

Fostering Cultural Exchange and Understanding

The festival's journey across seven Shaktipeeths presents a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding. As artists and performers from different regions converge at these sacred sites, they will have the chance to share their traditions, learn from one another, and explore the commonalities and differences that exist within the diverse cultural fabric of India.

This cross-pollination of ideas and artistic expressions will not only enrich the performers but also contribute to fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of India's cultural heritage among the wider audience.

Conclusion:

The 'Shakti - Festival of Music and Dance' organized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi is a remarkable initiative that celebrates the rich tapestry of Indian performing arts while also paying homage to the divine feminine energy that has been revered across the country for centuries. By traversing seven sacred Shaktipeeths, the festival aims to rejuvenate the age-old temple traditions, preserve and promote the diverse art forms, and foster cultural exchange and understanding among artists and audiences alike.

This grand celebration of music, dance, and spirituality promises to be a truly immersive and transformative experience, connecting the past with the present and honoring the divine feminine that has been an integral part of India's cultural narrative.