Media Coverage
Media Coverage
“The Ambalam Foundation presented Aradhana, a thoughtfully curated two-day music and dance festival honouring guru S. Rajam and guru Kalanidhi Narayanan, celebrating their enduring artistic legacies. Held at Seva Sadan, Bengaluru, on 6 and 7 December 2025, the festival brought together performances, workshops, and scholarly discussions, offering a meaningful tribute to these towering figures of Indian classical music and dance.
Aradhana stood as a heartfelt celebration of the guru–shishya parampara, the living tradition that has sustained and nurtured Indian classical arts across centuries.”
Shashank Kiron Nair | February 3, 2026
Posted by Sruti
https://www.sruti.com/articles/newsnotes/aradhana
“The curatorial tone of “Aradhana” under the banner of Ambalam was a two-day festival of music and dance by vocalist T.V. Ramprasad and Bharatanatyam artiste Indira Kadambi , was nostalgic and celebratory, and it turned the stage into a shared space of remembrance where concerts and dance recitals served as living tributes rather than mere showcases of skill.”
Satish Suri | December 23, 2025
https://narthaki.com/info/rev25/rev3570.html
“The two-day Aradhana festival at Seva Sadan in Malleswaram brought together demonstrations, concerts and artistic presentations by distinguished musicians and dancers. The event stood as a meaningful tribute to the great gurus S. Rajam and Kalanidhi Narayanan while also honouring senior artistes for their lifelong contributions to the arts.”
A. R. Raghuram | Vijayavani | December 5, 2025
“There is no substitute for the guru. The knowledge learnt in the presence of the guru alone becomes truly meaningful. While online learning is increasing today, it can never fully replace the depth of learning that happens directly under a guru.”
Mahalakshmi Natarajan | Samyukta Karnataka | December 9, 2025
https://samyuktakarnataka.in/districts/bengaluru/only-knowledge-learned-in-the-presence-of-a-guru-is-meaningful/
KOHAM – MOST SENSITIVE GROUP PRODUCTION
Photos: Biju photography
“Presented under the aegis of the Narada Gana Sabha, KOHAM a group work in Bharatanatyam conceived and choreographed by Indira Kadambi of Bangalore, comprised, for this writer, one of the most aesthetic productions, built as it was, round a will-o-the-wisp theme, not easily concretized through movement.
Ideation through Indira Kadambi’s concept and script, with music concept and script by T.V. Ramprasadh, along with Praveen D. Rao’s music arrangement along with Pramoth Kiran, what finally emerged adds up to an absorbing presentation.
Woven round an entire Margam, the production never lost sight of the theme of presentation. Very aesthetic and original stage formations, with dancers armed with perfect technique and angashuddha, along with the excellent vocal rendition in the pre-recorded music accompaniment, made for a very absorbing Bharatanatyam evening.”
Leela Venkataraman | February 17, 2026
https://narthaki.com/info/taalam/taalam218.html
Vaggeyakara Bharatham
“In this mesmerising performance, the two art forms seemed to merge seamlessly—dancers flowed like musical notes, while the music resonated in perfect harmony with every movement and beat.
The joy lingered as the audience hummed the melodies while leaving the auditorium. Even days later the performance remained vivid in memory – a rarity in a city bustling with Bharatanatyam performances year-round.”
Jagyaseni Chatterjee | December 4, 2024
https://www.sruti.com/articles/reviews/heartstrings-in-harmony
Preksha Gupta
“Preksha Gupta, a young dancer from Lucknow, took to the stage to present a sincerely practised Bharatanatyam margam under the guidance of Acharya Smt. Indira Kadambi.
One could see evidently the nuances Preksha has inherited from her acharya as she moved from idea to idea, measured transitions between emotional registers, a building of layers rather than broad gestures. The movement between ideas was thoughtful, emotions layered rather than announced. She held the character steadily, performing with an ease that spoke of thorough preparation. She sustained excellent stamina throughout the piece and executed it almost flawlessly, with great fervour and ease.”
Neeharika Patnam
https://classicalclaps.com/preksha-sincerity-honesty-and-trust-in-her-acharya/
Advith Shashidhar
“Advith Shashidhar’s Bharatanatyam margam, presented by the Ambalam Foundation, emerged as a wholesome and assured debut, marked by technical clarity, expressive versatility and impressive stamina. From a vibrant Pushpanjali to a well-structured Kamas varnam, the recital balanced strong nritta with engaging abhinaya, with particularly notable characterisations in the Ramayana shabdam and Krishna pieces. The performance concluded on a dynamic note with the Kalinga Narthana Thillana, leaving the impression of a dancer with confident stage presence, musical sensitivity and promising artistic maturity, shaped under Acharya Smt. Indira Kadambi.”
Ashwathi PG
https://classicalclaps.com/a-wholesome-offering-margam-by-advith-shashidhar/
Aishwarya Lakshmi
“Aishwarya Lakshmi’s Bharatanatyam presentation, guided by Acharya Indira Kadambi, on the 16th of February at the Seva Sadan, unfolded as an evening of consummate artistry and thoughtful curation.
ishwarya entered the sacred space with quiet authority, her invocatory offering setting an assured and refined tone for the evening. The accompanying ensemble lent a rich aural texture throughout. As the lovelorn nayika, Aishwarya brought aching tenderness to her portrayal, her abhinaya was vivid and sincere . The emotional architecture of the varnam was handled with maturity; the shifting raga landscape demanded musical intelligence and dramatic flexibility, both of which she navigated with assurance. Her nritta passages were crisp and energetically sustained. Over the course of the evening, Aishwarya Lakshmi demonstrated not only technical accomplishment but the rare capacity to inhabit each composition fully, sustained by the collective artistry of a superb ensemble and guided by the steady, discerning hand of Acharya Indira Kadambi. It was a presentation that honoured tradition while daring, beautifully, to transcend it.”
Satish Suri | March 12, 2026
https://narthaki.com/info/rev26/rev3634.ht
Sarath Naik
“On February 2 at Seva Sadan, Sarath Naik, disciple of acharya Indira Kadambi, presented a Bharatanatyam margam of galvanic verve and virtuosity. His compact frame belied an explosive stage presence, aptly likened to a firecracker in motion. The recital emerged as a promising milestone, balancing athletic dynamism with soul-stirring expression.”
Satish Suri | March 12, 2026
https://narthaki.com/info/rev26/rev3634.html
“Sarath Naik is known for his energy, stamina, and the balance he strikes between nritta and abhinaya. Opening with a Lakshmi Narasimha shlokam and Narasimha Kauthuvam, he embodied the character with intensity and clarity. The central Kapi varnam ‘Mohalaahviri Mirude,’ choreographed by Acharya Smt. Indira Kadambi, stood out for its thoughtful structure and emotional depth. Sarath’s rhythmic command, expressive abhinaya, and engaging rapport with the orchestra shaped a performance that was both sincere and musically sensitive.”
Neeharika Patnam
https://classicalclaps.com/intensity-and-innocence-in-tandem/
Ambili Krishnan
“The performance by Ambili Krishnan on the 12th of May was a profound display of classical artistry. The performance was enriched by the intricate jathi korvais and theermanams, which were executed with precision, adding a rhythmic complexity that complemented the emotive singing. This seamless blend of rhythm and emotion did not disappoint the rasikas.
The dancer, adorned in vibrant attire, moved with grace and elegance, embodying the conflicting emotions that surge within her. Through subtle gestures and facial expressions, she conveyed the heroine’s internal struggle, inviting the audience to empathize with her plight. Ambili performed with high energy, punctuated with verve and virtuosity.”
Satish Suri | May 18, 2024
https://narthaki.com/info/rev24/rev3126.html
Meera Krishna
“Meera Krishna’s performance on May 2nd, under the auspices of Ambalam, was a testament to her dedication and skill.
Her attention to detail was seen from the nuances of sahitya to the precision of hand gestures and adavus. Coupled with her energy in executing the jathis composed by gurus Kittappa Pillai and Kandaswamy Pillai, Meera’s performance became a captivating and immersive experience for the audience. Her execution of the complex Ashta Ragamalika in the varnam format was awe-inspiring, demonstrating not only remarkable technical skill but also a deep understanding of the composition’s lyrical and emotional nuances.”
Satish Suri | May 18, 2024
https://narthaki.com/info/rev24/rev3126.html
“Amidst the traditional December Festivals, the two day performance and interactive workshop festival titled SaMaaGaMa provided a breath of fresh air to music lovers, literally! That’s because the event was held at one of Chennai’s oldest and greenest havens – the Nageshwara Rao Park in Mylapore and was also refreshing in its diversity of performances and interactive workshops encompassing various genres.
Just a glance at the itinerary is enough to provide an idea of the meticulousness with which the various genres and art forms were chosen to be a part of the event”
Vijay Natesan, Sound Box
http://www.soundbox.co.in/margazhi-raagam/
“Moving away from the commonly treaded path of organizing a talent parade of the singers, dancers and dramatists in Margazhi season, Ambalam Arts and Culture Ltd with T.V. Ramprasadh and Indira Kadambi have decided to take the festival experience out to the masses. To infuse more talent and encourage budding talents, Ambalam is presenting SaMaaGaMa – a festival of interactive workshops and performances.”
The Hindu, December, 2011
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article2698098.ece
This is one of the most exciting festivals during the Margazhi Mahotsavam 2011. This is an event wherein everyone from artists to layman can participate and have something to take home.
Hello FM 106.4
A short walk brought me to Nageswara Rao Park where Indira Kadambi and TV Ramprasadh had organized the 2 day, day long fest ‘SaMaaGaMa’ featuring music and dance performances as well as workshops. The low platform served as performance space as well as could seat some audience members at the other end while others were seated around in chairs or under the huge tree, with lots of walkers stopping by to enjoy the performances. With a green light enhancing the greenery behind the stage (a natural backdrop!), and a gentle breeze keeping us cool, Sanhita Nandi’s Hindustani vocal concert was soothing to the ears. The next and final performance of the day was an elegant Bharatanatyam recital by Guru CV Chandrasekhar and his ardent disciples and admirers had turned up in large numbers.
It was back to the park on 18th evening in time to see Indira’s talented disciple Komala Kumari Mayshark present a spirited Bharatanatyam recital. Her depiction of scenes from the Ramayana was greatly enjoyed by the little children who were seated in front, watching in rapt attention. Next was an interesting classical fusion music show by ‘Three 4 the Music’ featuring DA Srinivas on mridangam and vocal, Punya Srinivas on veena and Naveen Iyer on flute and vocal. It was a pleasure to see a large crowd enjoying the music program that included Irish and Arabic influenced tunes. Praveen performed in his usual impeccable style, but confided that having his gurus CVC and Jaya Chandrasekhar seated right in front watching him as well as the thousands who would be watching through the live streaming, made him rather nervous as he had just won a prestigious award, so expectations would be higher, and he had to excel in the already high standard he has set for himself. The open air recitals were a pleasant change from stuffy auditoriums. It was also interesting to note that using just some basic lights, what wonders can be achieved.
Lalitha Venkat – Narthaki.com
http://www.narthaki.com/info/rev11/rev1144.html
Students, performers and the general public were swelling in numbers as SaMaaGaMa lived up to its spirit of being a unique, interactive, outdoor, festival of sharing by stalwarts and youth alike. Many were still coming in to the park attracted by the quality fare being dished out in all sections across genres, at one venue!
Vidyalakshmi Venkataraman
www.nammachennai.in http://nammachennai.in/article.aspx?issue=Jan2012&category=Music&article=20120115065834
“Musicians and Dancers perform and present lecture demonstrations at SaMaaGaMa organized by Ambalam Arts & Culture Pvt Ltd in Nageswara Rao park “
Deccan Chronicle, December, 2011
“Dance, sing and learn Yoga with artists from Ambalam in an unique way”
Dinamalar, December, 2011
“A couple dedicated exclusively to the arts field – Indira Kadambi and T.V. Ramprasadh presented Samaagama –an exhilarating experience”
Krishnagopuradeepam, Tamil E-magazine, January issue
“Anupama Bhagwat, one of the leading disciples of the world-renowned Pandit Shri Bimalendu Mukherjee, is a refreshingly versatile Sitarist of the current generation. A melodious concert of Sitar by Anupama Bhagwat was organized by Ambalam at Kalakshetra colony, Besant nagar, Chennai, jointly with Rasayana. In Ambalam’s auditorium, starting with the traditional Alaap and ending with a Raagmaalika, the Sitar strains haunt our memories as they flowed like a smooth waterfall”
R. Natrajan
Krishnagopuradeepam, Tamil E-magazine, March issue
“The artists Jaya Madhavan, Bindhumalini and Archana in their story, song and dance sharing on Kabir at Ambalam’s monthly free event programme, transported us to the world of “the untellable story” – the Akatha Kahani. As voices mingled in story-telling, singing and echoed in the dance movements, truly, Kabir was expounded in a unique way at Ambalam.”
Krishnagopuradeepam, E-magazine, April issue