Lotus Music & Dance will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in 2019with a benefit dinner and performance on Monday, March 25th. This year also marks the 100th Birth Anniversary of Bharata Natyam dance guru, T.Balasaraswati. Since Lotus was inspired by Bala's wish to have her style represented in New York City, "the dance capital of the world", we will celebrate both milestones on March 25th. We will honor legendary choreographer, George Faison with the inaugural Bala Award for Excellence in addition to honoring Manhattan Borough President, Gale Brewer for her support of cultural diversity in the performing arts. 

The Program will take place at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis HS Theater, will include an evening of guest speakers, performers and a screening of the 1962 Wesleyan documentary, T.Balasarasawti (Bala), in which she performs her signature piece, Krishna Ni Begane Baro. We will acknowledge the lifelong dedication of Nandini Ramani and Priyamvada Shankar to Bala's legacy. We will also pay tribute to Louise and Sam Scripps who made it possible for Bala to teach and perform here in the United States and Jon B. Higgins whose Ph.D. dissertation has made a major contribution to the understanding of Bala's repertoire. The program emcees will be Anita Ratnam and Rajika Puri. 

The Benefit Dinner will take place at Utsav Restaurant, where Gale Brewer and George Faison will be honored and a festive dance presentation will take place. Special guests will be recognized for their contribution and support of Lotus. The Benefit Dinner will also hold a silent auction, offering unique and beautiful items that represent our multi-cultural institution, including art, photography, specialty restaurants, and events. A Silent Auction Catalog showcasing the wide selection, from Tibetan Thangka Wall, Hanging to Navajo and Zuni jewelry.