Ādhāram: An original production exploring Carnatic music and Odissi dance by Sudha Raghuraman and Arushi Mudgal, commissioned by the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art.

About KNMA

Established at the initiative of avid art collector Kiran Nadar in 2010, the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art popularly known as KNMA, is a private museum exhibiting modern and contemporary artworks from the Indian subcontinent and increasingly from around the world. With two museums, one in Saket and the other in Noida, KNMA has housed many critically acclaimed exhibitions. Kiran Nadar’s contributions have earned her prestigious awards like the Padma Shri and Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, alongside global recognition as an influential figure in contemporary art.

In a few years, the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art will find a new home in a 1.2 million square foot building near the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. With multiple exhibition spaces, auditoriums, open patios, an archive centre, library, restaurants, members room and more, the new museum will diversify KNMA into a cultural centre that promotes both visual and performing arts.

About the Performance

The metaphor of the tree deeply rooted in the earth, allowing its branches, leaves, flowers and fruits to flourish, is a powerful and enduring image in Indian artistic philosophy. It embodies the fundamental principles in art forms, which become the stable foundation from which artistic growth, mastery and innovation can be achieved. In this spirit, the artists Sudha Raghuraman and Arushi Mudgal delve deep into the Ādhāram or foundation of their respective art forms – Carnatic music and Odissi dance. Solo elaborations of their repertoires culminate into a compelling interplay between music and dance. Through breath, rhythm, movement, and expression, they remain rooted in the knowledge of their individual disciplines, while embracing the generous potential for collaborative explorations offered by their forms.

Sudha Raghuraman

Born and brought up in a family steeped in the traditions of Carnatic Music, Sudha Raghuraman was trained in vocal music initially by her father late Shri O.S. Sridhar and later by her grandfather Sangeetha Bhushanam Shri O.V. Subramanyam. Sudha is a versatile and prolific artist who has found expression as a music composer for several dance productions. Her passion for Hindustani music often translates as a sensibility that is unique to her performances. She has performed at numerous national and international music festivals, and has held extensive workshops in Mauritius, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and other countries. She also teaches Carnatic music and has been a visiting professor at Ashoka University, Sonipat. Sudha is a widely acclaimed artist and has received prestigious awards such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar and the Rashshtriya Kumar Gandharva Samman, among others. She is an empanelled artist with the ICCR since 2003.

Accompanying Artists

Flute Shri. G. Raghuraman ｜Mridangam Shri. M. V. Chandershekar ｜Ghatam Shri. Varun Rajasekharan ｜Tanpura Rohit Saini

Arushi Mudgal

Arushi Mudgal is one of the foremost talents in the field of Odissi today, known for her technical virtuosity and creative approach to tradition. She has trained under her aunt, Guru Smt. Madhavi Mudgal at the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Delhi. Arushi was selected as one of the Top Ten Dancers of 2018 by the New York Times. She has performed at prestigious festivals in France, Switzerland, Germany, UK, Brazil, Spain, USA and others. Among her numerous awards are the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, the Young Women Achievers’ Award by YFLO and the President’s Bal Shree Award. She has co-authored a book on the aesthetics of Odissi dance with the senior scholar and aesthetician Prof. S.K. Saxena, which has been published by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Accompanying Artists

Vocals/ Manjira Sawani Mudgal｜Vocals Khushal Sharma｜Mardal/ Tabla Kharak Singh｜Flute Rajat Prasanna｜Harmonium Chetan Nigam｜

Credits

Sound Design/Engineer MT Aditya Srinivasan ｜Light Design/Engineer Gyan Dev Singh ｜Key Visual Direction Season Unnikrishnan｜Photography and Videography Season Unnikrishnan and Innee Singh

FAQs

Q: What time do the gates open? 

A: 6:15 PM

Q. What time will the box office open?

A. 5:30 PM

Q: Is parking available at the venue? 

A: There is paid street parking available outside Kamani Auditorium. 

Q: Is there a minimum age requirement for the event? 

A: The event is suitable for all age groups.

Q: Is the venue wheelchair accessible? 

A: Yes 

Q: Are there discounted tickets for students?

A: Student tickets are free but online registration is mandatory. Students will need to carry their institutional IDs for verification on the day of the event.