New York City, NY, USA: Arts India US has unveiled the 2026 class of Lotus Fellows, selecting ten promising artists for a nationwide initiative designed to strengthen the landscape of Indian classical performing arts in the United States. Supported by The Pujji Giving Fund, the fellowship focuses on expanding mentorship, training, and performance opportunities for U.S.-based practitioners of traditional Indian art forms.
The new cohort reflects a wide range of artistic backgrounds and locations across the country.
Among them is Antara Bhattacharya, a sitar artist based in Denton, Texas, who began performing as a child prodigy in India and now continues her 27-year artistic journey while completing a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology.
From New York, Kathak dancer Ariaki Dandawate, trained in three gharanas and known for performing at notable venues, describes her work as a fusion of tradition and the evolving creative spirit.
Chicago’s Harini Nilakantan, a Bharatanatyam artist, brings a blend of classical form and modern influences, recently gaining visibility through competitive performances.
Karthik Iyer, a Carnatic violinist from Illinois and a student of the Lalgudi school, balances scientific research with music, saying he finds a meditative depth in exploring sound textures.
Houston-based mridangam artist Karun Salvady has presented his work across the world, drawing connections between rhythm, neuroscience, and identity.
Seattle dancer Neha Venkatesh highlights the emotional and internal connections that fuel Bharatanatyam, describing dance as a bridge between the performer, the audience, and one’s own inner world.
Odissi dancer Shalini Basu of New York—also a National YoungArts awardee—integrates academic studies on belonging into her artistic practice, aiming to bring scholarly insights to the stage.
In Albany, sarod player Shruti De, trained in the Senia Shahjahanpur tradition, combines classical expertise with global musical partnerships.
Houston’s Tarika Nath, a Kathak performer, is preparing to present fresh compositions that fuse rhythmic movement with percussion.
The cohort also includes Vedya Spurthi Konda, a Kuchipudi artist trained in the Vempati Chinna Satyam style, who views dance as a blend of storytelling and personal exploration, deeply tied to culture and community.
Through this fellowship, artists will collaborate with senior mentors, attend workshops on leadership and funding, and showcase their work at the program’s finale.
The initiative also includes keynote sessions featuring prominent artists and cultural leaders, offering guidance on career sustainability and navigating institutional spaces.
According to Arts India US, the Lotus Fellowship is intended to encourage generational learning and strengthen the long-term future of Indian classical arts in the United States.
