In its third year, Yuva Utsav 2025 is designed specifically to celebrate the young artists making waves in Indian traditional music and dance in the US and abroad. This platform provides performance opportunities for full length and shorter “Upcoming Talent” segments at the Festival. Yuva Utsav falls under the umbrella of the Ra-Ve Professional Concert Series.
This year, we celebrate 6 young stars as they sing, dance, and perform musically on Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation's stage at Kalaloka Institute of Fine Arts. This unique event showcases the exceptional talents and fresh directions in Indian Carnatic music by the Sai Sisters, Kiran and Nivi, and captivating Bharatanatyam dance presentation by Akshath Piram. In our “Upcoming Talent” section, we present mesmerizing violin performances by Tanya and Tanvi Kartik, and the rising Bharatanatyam talent, Sinchana Natraj.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM (including a 30-minute intermission)
Venue: Kalaloka Institute of Fine Arts, 1380 SW Westpark Dr Suites #1 and 2, Bentonville, AR 72712
Festival Schedule
4:00pm - 4.15pm - Tanvi and Tanya (Violin)
4.15pm - 5.45pm - Kiran and Nivi (Vocal)
5.45pm - 6-15pm - Break (Vegetarian snack and Water provided)
6.15pm - 6.30pm - Sinchana Natraj (Bharatanatyam)
6.30pm - 8.00pm - Akshath Piram (Bharatanatyam)
Tickets:
Full Fest - $25 for Ra-Ve members/Students/Seniors/Military
Full Fest - $35 General Admission
Each Segment - $15 for Ra-Ve members/Students/Seniors/Military
Each Segment - $20 General Admission
Consider a donation to support this platform
Free vegetarian snack included
Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation’s mission is to share and celebrate traditional Indian performing arts with the Northwest Arkansas community. Through real world experiences, inspiring performances, community showcases, classes, food, or jam sessions the Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation sponsors events, provides education, and offers training in the arts and culture of India.
For more information please write to [email protected] Thank you!
Artist Information:
Sai Sisters, Kiran and Nivi, are accomplished Carnatic vocalists and disciples of Sri Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna, Dr. C.M. Venkatachalam, and Sri Melakkaveri K. Balaji. They have performed extensively since 2015 at prestigious sabhas in Chennai and globally, winning accolades such as the “Sangeeth Samraat” duo category title (2015) and “Best Young Artist” from Valayapatti Sabha (2018). Social media sensations with millions of followers across platforms, they’ve received appreciation from stalwarts like Sangeetha Kalanidhi Vidwan Sri T.N. Seshagopalan and have been featured in Rolling Stone India, India Today, and Good Morning America. They also excel in Sai bhajans, performing in sacred venues like Puttaparthi and collaborating with global icons like Frieda Pinto and Jason Derulo.
Akshath Piram began his journey in Bharatanatyam at just 2.5 years under the guidance of his mother and Guru, Smt. Indhumadhi Gopalakrishnan, Artistic Director of Salangai School of Performing Arts. A vibrant and dynamic dancer, he has completed advanced training under renowned Gurus Kalaimamani Madurai R. Muralidharan and Smt. Chithra Muralidharan. Akshath excels in multiple art forms, holding distinctions in Bharatanatyam, vocal music, and piano from Griffin College London and ABRSM. With over 22 titles and 50 competition wins across the USA, Malaysia, and India, Akshath continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his artistry and dedication.
Tanvi Kartik, an 8th grader at Haas Hall Academy, and Tanya Kartik, a 6th grader at McNair Middle School, are talented young artists passionate about Carnatic violin, Hindustani vocal, and Bharatanatyam. Trained in violin by their father, Dr. Kartik Balachandran, and in Hindustani vocal by Smt. Shuchita Rao, they are also dedicated dancers at the Dhirana Academy of Classical Dance and competitive swimmers with the AquaHawgs Razorbacks. Active participants in cultural events like Sapthaswara and the Nashville Thyagaraja Aradhana, Tanvi and Tanya are thrilled to showcase their artistry at Yuva Utsav.
Sinchana Natraj, a 16-year-old passionate Bharatanatyam dancer, has been training under her Guru, Vidushi Megha P. Rao, for nearly a decade. She has performed at numerous events, earned accolades in competitions, and showcased her talent in productions such as Baala: Tale of Kanha, TuLA, The Jungle Book, and The Exiled King. As a trainee teacher at Dhirana Academy of Classical Dance, Sinchana mentors younger students while refining her own skills. Beyond dance, she enjoys leadership, traveling, and has a strong interest in healthcare.
