Atlanta, GA, May 10, 2023: Soorya Foundation for Performing Arts recently presented its 4th edition of the North Georgia Indian Dance festival in Cumming, featuring more than 130 classical dancers and musicians and 7 dance and music companies and schools from Georgia, Alabama, and Philadelphia. The three- and half-hour event attracted people from all over Metro Atlanta, North GA, South Carolina, and Alabama.
Soorya Foundation honored GuruSheila Rubinof NATYANANDA School and dance company, Alabama for her lifetime achievement to Indian dance in the US. An American by birth, Guru Sheila learned Indian classical dance in the 70s and 80s in South India and established her school in Alabama in 1978.
The North Georgia Indian dance festival was inaugurated by Georgia Senator Shawn Still who appreciated the efforts of Soorya Foundation and its founder Guru Sushma Mohan in bringing the community together with their traditional Indian dance festival. He stressed the need for such festivals as it showcases the rich Indian culture and arts and encourages young Indian Americans.
Senator Still was highly appreciative of the Indian community and stated that, though the Indian community was only 1% of the total population of GA, they represent 6% of taxpayers.
Young students from RAMA Atlanta chanted Sanskrit mantra praying for peace and knowledge while the senator lit the traditional lamp signifying the inauguration of the festival.
The extremely popular ThreeAksha dance company, a 15-member group, had traveled from Philadelphia to perform at the event. Natyananda dance company from Alabama performed to a standing ovation while local GA dance companies – Deeksha School of performing arts, Samyuktam Natya Academy, Nrithya Samarpanam, and the host – Soorya Dance and music ensemble impressed the audience with their performances.
The other dignitaries that attended the event were Veena Rao, Author, and Editor NRI Pulse, Guru Revathi Satyu, and many local Indian dance and music gurus.
The highly supportive audience opined that this festival should be an integral part of the North Georgia arts calendar and many volunteers and volunteer agencies pledged their future support.
The activities and projects of Soorya Foundation are supported by the Georgia Council for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts and the Forsyth County Arts Alliance.
