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This arts and cultural festival in Mumbai will celebrate Indian women
Updated On: 09 December, 2025 10:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram Iyengar
In its 33rd year, the Keli Charitable Trust’s Pranathi Festival brings the festival’s focus to women who have carved their own path in the Indian classical tradition
Dr Neena Prasad performs a Mohiniyattam routine during a showcase
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Three decades is a long time in any industry, let alone one as ephemeral as music. Since 1992, The Keli Cultural Festival has become a staple of the city’s December tradition. “When we began, the Classical tradition was limited to the institutions of its practice,” shares Ramachandran K, artistic director and project coordinator. Over the years, it has witnessed names such as the late Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, late Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and Peruvanam Kuttan Marar among others encourage the idea. This weekend, the 33rd edition of the cultural organisation will witness the Pranathi Women’s Music & Dance Festival take stage in Navi Mumbai.
The biennial event was begun as part of an ongoing effort to highlight the work of female artistes. “This year, we have opted to focus on the two senior and acclaimed practitioners of Rudraveena and Mohiniyattam, who have used the form to further conversation on social contexts.” Over two days, the festival will see performances by Mohiniyattam scholar Dr Neena Prasad, and rudraveena exponent, Vidushi Jyoti Hegde, accompanied by other performers.
Ramachandran K
Dr Neena Prasad has been one of the foremost practitioners of these ideas. To be presented with the Pranathi Pratibha Puraskar this year, the scholar and danseuse shares, “I believe that any traditional form, known for its classical values, will only speak to its society when it has relevance in its modern times. If we do not move forward with the times, our classicism will b reduced to being a showpiece.”
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