A forum of artists for Indian classical dance and music, where masters and the next generation share one stage.
Sakhi means friend. The festival was conceived by Bharatanatyam dancer Sisira Das as a space where tradition meets innovation, built on companionship, collaboration and community.
Sakhi gives emerging dancers and musicians a dignified platform, recognises senior artists for their contribution to the classical arts, and brings audiences, students, teachers and accompanists together under one roof.
Each edition combines full-length performances, lecture-demonstrations and artistic exchanges across Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Carnatic music and classical dance theatre. The Sakhi Awards open the festival, and performance-application finalists chosen from across India take the stage alongside headline artists.
The inaugural edition in August 2025 filled New Horizon College Auditorium in Bengaluru over two weekends and closed with Padma Bhushan Shobana. Next, the festival travels to Thailand in May 2027 for its first international edition.
Senior artists are celebrated on stage and through the Sakhi Awards
Emerging dancers apply from across India, and finalists perform at the festival.
Students, teachers, accompanists and audiences share one space, as friends do.
Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher and creative director of Samvedya Centre for Arts. She conceived Sakhi Festival and curates every edition.
Sakhi is a vibrant platform dedicated to nurturing, promoting, and celebrating diverse performing art forms.
A Bharatanatyam and Carnatic vocal school in Bengaluru training students of all ages, known for its flagship events Ritu and Srishti.
Sakhi