Soorya Performing Arts welcomes students, Gurus, parents, and patrons to the

17th American Natya Festival

This will be held on June 12, 13, 14, 2026 

at Lindbergh Performing Arts Center, 5000 Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63126

Celebrating Tradition • Creativity • Excellence of Indian classical dances in the USA

American Natya Festival 2026

National Classical Indian Dance Festival

Join us for a vibrant celebration of Indian dance traditions featuring Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, dance dramas, folk dances, and innovative choreographic works presented by acclaimed artists from across the United States.

The festival will also showcase the finalists of American Natya Idol 2026, our national classical Indian dance competition recognizing exceptional young talent.

Friday, June 12, 2026

Festival Opening Performances

  • Welcome Dances by Soorya Performing Arts
  • Kuchipudi by Meera Rathnagiri (Wilmington, DE)
  • Kathak Performances by Sheela Mehta (New Jersey / Mumbai)
  • Thematic Bharatanatyam by the Students of Vinita Subramanyam (Austin, TX)
  • Andhra Natyam by Upasana School of Dance (O'Fallon, MO)

Saturday, June 13, 2026

7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

American Natya Idol 2026 Competition

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

  • ZERO – Historical Dance Drama by Prasanna Kasthuri (Ballwin, MO)
  • Finding Joy – Creative Dance Drama by Surabhi Bharadwaj (San Francisco, CA)
  • Venkateshwara Vaibhavam – Mythological Dance Drama by Pallavi Madabhushi (Charlotte, NC)

Honoring a Legacy of Artistic Excellence

A special ceremony recognizing individuals whose lifelong commitment to dance, teaching, and cultural preservation continues to inspire future generations.

Lifetime Achievement Honoree

  • Guru Shivagami Vanka (Portland, OR)

Distinguished Service Honorees

  • Guru Pallavi Madabhushi (Charlotte, NC)
  • Guru Surabhi Bharadwaj (San Francisco, CA)
  • Soujanya Madhusudhan (Atlanta, GA)

Sunday, June 14, 2026

7:30 AM – 1:00 PM

American Natya Idol 2026 Competition

2:30 PM – 7:30 PM

  • Ghungroo – Experimental Dance Production by Samanvita Kasthuri (New York, NY)
  • Agni Kusuma – Intriguing Dance Drama by Soujanya Madhusudhan (Atlanta, GA)
  • Navarasa Ramayana – Epic Dance Production by Sudha Raghuram (Montgomery, AL)
  • Group Dances by the Students of Anil Karunakaran (Topeka, KS)
  • Folk India – A Collaborative Celebration featuring multiple folk dance groups from St. Louis and surrounding regions - Thangaat group of dancers, Karnataka Kolata Group, Punjabi Bhangra and Assamees Bihu performances

Surabhi Bharadwaj's - "Finding Joy"

Come to Natya Idol. Command the Stage. Receive Insight from Legends. Triumph. Go Global.

All registrations are closed. Last Regionals will be held in St. Louis on JUne 6th 2026

Everyone other than registered participants, must purchase tickets to enter the competition venues.

Early bird - $5 per person  /  At the gate - $10. 

NATYA IDOL - NATIONAL

June 13, 14 2026 - at

17TH AMERICAN NATYA FESTIVAL

SAINT LOUIS, MO - USA

POSSIBLE SCHEDUELDING IS AS FOLLOWS.
ADVANCE, INTERMEDIATE, INTERMEDIATE GROUP, ADVANCE GROUP WILL BE PLANED FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2026
JUNIOR, JUNIOR GROUPS, ADULTS, SENIOR ADULTS WILL BE PLANNED ON SUNDAY FOR JUNE 14 2026
BE AWARE , THE NATYA IDOL IS STILL GOING IN SEVERAL CITIES. SCHEDULE MIGHT CHANGE. PLEASE BOOK YOUR TRAVEL FOR ALL THREE DAYS AND ENJOY TEH 17TH AMERICAN DANCE FESTIVAL AND TAKE PART IN THE NATIONALS.

VENUE:  Lindbergh Auditorium, 5000 Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63126

NATIONALS  - AMERICAN NATYA IDOL – 2026

Hello Dancers and Dance  Patrons

Welcome to the 2026 American Natya Idol Competition. We are excited to bring this amazing meeting point of incredible talent from across the USA. We are trying to highlight the dance talents of the graceful, hard-working, and dedicated little teen Youth and more experienced artists. We promise to bring judges from different cities, regions, and countries to your city. We promise to keep honesty and integrity in support of true talent, which will brighten minds and bring joy to our ancient art from the Indian subcontinent into the great plains, the mountains, and the coasts of the United States of America. We have allowed you to register in the city of your choice. In 2025 than 600 participants entered this fantastic competition.

Everyone must register through the FeatsClub app for regionals and Finals.

Please register before 7 days before each competition date with complete music.

You may keep the music used in the Regionals or send new music you choose before June 8th, 7 pm, 2026 CST.

We will not be accepting anyone into the Finals directly, everyone must pass the Phase-1 (regionals).

If you have any questions on registration, please get in touch with the Natya Idol Committee at 314-397-5278  (CST-10 AM- 4 PM) /  314-546-9473 (CST 4 PM -8 PM) / (314) 629-9754

There is no extra Registration fee for entering the National level. But everyone must purchase the festival ticket to enter the venue. This will be held in St. Louis on June 13th and 14th, 2025.

We are giving discounted sales of tickets and food until June 1st, 2025. This will increase to normal prices from June 2nd onwards.

Schedule of the Finals

Saturday - 13th June 2026 - American Natya Idol - Advanced, Intermediate, Senior Group Dances
Sunday  - 14th June 2026 - American Natya Idol - Adults, Senior Adults, Junior, Junior Group Dances