~ Set to take place from 21 February 2026, the iconic dance festival will showcase premiere original choreographic works by emerging artists
Chennai, 21st February 2026: Bharata Kalanjali, one of India’s prestigious institutions for Bharatanatyam, is all set to present the 5th edition of Jharna, its iconic annual dance festival dedicated to nurturing and showcasing promising classical dancers in the country. This one-of-a-kind festival is set to take place from February 21 to March 1, 2026, at Bharata Kalanjali SPASTN Auditorium, Taramani. (Across two weekends)
Conceived as a platform that bridges tradition and emerging artistic voices, Jharna has steadily evolved into a significant space for mentorship, dialogue and original choreography within the Bharatanatyam landscape, reflecting Bharata Kalanjali’s enduring commitment to nurturing talent while honouring classical lineage. From a competitive pool of over 100 applicants, a select group of promising artistes have been chosen to premiere original choreographic works at the festival this year.
The line-up will feature Sahana Selvaganesh, Himanshu Srivastava, Kruthika Thyagarajan, Navyashree K.N., and Vaishnavi Dhore. Rooted in classical grammar yet driven by contemporary imagination, each of these works signal the arrival of confident, thoughtful voices shaping the future of Bharatanatyam. The festival will also be graced by distinguished artists including Dr. Anita Ratnam, acclaimed artpreneur and cultural activist, Priya Murle, President of ABHAI; Bharatnatyam artists Shijith Nambiar and Parvathy Menon; & Gayatri Kannan; underscoring the festival’s emphasis on mentorship, artistic excellence and intergenerational dialogue.
The festival will also feature guest performances by noted ensembles such as Dakshina Repertory and Vrajam Bhaje by Renjith Vijna & Ensemble, fostering meaningful exchange between established practitioners and emerging dancers. Through this curated programming, Jharna continues to reinforce Bharata Kalanjali’s commitment to sustaining classical lineage while encouraging new choreographic voices.
Speaking about the festival, Satyajit Dhananjayan, Artistic Director of Bharata Kalanjali, said “Jharna reflects our belief that tradition remains alive only when it continues to nurture new voices. Through this platform, we hope to encourage young dancers to engage deeply with the classical form while finding their own artistic expression,”
The festival will unfold over two weekends, with programmes presented in phases. Rasikas and the members of the arts community, are invited to attend and experience performances that reflect both continuity and contemporary thought within the Bharatanatyam tradition.
Festival Details
Dates: February 21,22,28 and March 1, 2026
Venue: Bharata Kalanjali, SPASTN, TEACH Auditorium, CSIR Road, Taramani, Chennai
Time: 6.30 PM onwards | Tickets Available on Tikkl.com
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
- Saturday, Feb 21
- Sahana Selvaganesh
- Himanshu Srivastava
- Sunday, Feb 22
- Kruthika Thyagaraja
- Pinnal by Dakshina Repertory
- Saturday, Feb 28
- Navyashree K.N.
- In Other Words
- Sunday, March 1
- Vaishnavi Dhore
- Vrajam Bhaje by Renjith Vijna & Ensemble
About Bharata Kalanjali:
Founded in 1971 by veteran danseurs V.P. Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan, Bharata Kalanjali is one of Chennai’s premier institutions for Bharatanatyam training and performance, with over five decades of sustained contribution to the classical arts. Known as a temple of learning and a vibrant centre of artistic inquiry, Bharata Kalanjali blends rigorous training with cultural depth, discipline, and holistic development. The institution’s pedagogy draws on the founders’ deep grounding in Kalakshetra traditions, enriched with innovative teaching principles, aiming to shape not only skilled performers but thoughtful artistes. Beyond training, Bharata Kalanjali fosters creative exploration through performances, workshops, and festivals such as Jharna, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing emerging talent while honouring classical lineage.
