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
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)
- Kalyana Srinivasam – 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"
Celebrating Tradition • Creativity • Excellence of Indian classical dances in the USA
Come to Natya Idol. Command the Stage. Receive Insight from Legends. Triumph. Go Global.
American Natya Idol's last regional competition
All registrations will close one week before the competition, or if it fills our spots, Music is due atleast one week before. Any dance/Music beyond the time limit will not be accepted.
St. Louis - June 6th 2026 - Schedule Announced
American Natya Idol Finals around the corner..... register now, if you qualified in Regionals
FINALS - June 13, 14 2026 - at 17TH AMERICAN NATYA FESTIVAL
Completed events Tampa Regionals - Feb 28th, 2026- Results Seattle Regionals March 22nd, 2026 - Results Houston Regionals - March 28th, 2026 - Results Dallas Regional - March 29th 2026 - Results Austin Regionals - Results Portland Regionals - Results Atlanta Regionals - April 11th, 2026 Baltimore/Washington DC - April 12, 2026 Chicago Regionals - April 18th, 2026 - Results Cincinnati Regionals - April 19th, 2026 - Results New Jersey Regionals - April 25th, 2026 - Score and Results announced. New York Regionals - April 26th, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area - May 2nd 2026
Raleigh, NC - May 16, 2026 - Score and Results Announced Charlotte, NC - May 17, 2026 - Score and Results Announced Delaware - May 23rd 2026 - Results will be announced soon
Kansas City - May 30th, 2026 - Results Announced St. Louis - June 06th, 2026 - Results Announced
Congratulations to all regional winners of American Natya Idol. St. Louis welcomes you all to Nationals.
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.