Is There Always Room for Art?

Supporting the arts also means supporting the institutions, teachers and spaces that give artists opportunities to present their work. Cultural institutions play an important role in preserving artistic traditions by nurturing emerging talent, supporting teachers and creating occasions where audiences can experience the depth of Indian classical arts. Their work deserves recognition through partnerships, responsible communication and sustained public interest.

Our association with Lele’s Kalanand Nritya Sanstha gave ARTION an opportunity to support two significant celebrations of Indian classical arts, the 10th edition of Kalanjali and the 34th annual Guru Purnima celebration. Each programme offered a different perspective on the institution’s work, bringing together teachers, families, artists and audiences through a shared appreciation of classical performance.

Founded in 1992 by Guru Bhavana Lele with two pupils, Kalanand Nritya Sanstha has grown into an institution that has trained thousands of aspiring artists over the years. Inspired by the artistic tradition of the Lucknow gharana and the work of the distinguished Guru Pandit Birju Maharaj, Bhavana Lele has helped prepare artists who have presented their work at national and international venues.

The institution recently adopted the name Lele’s Kalanand Nritya Sanstha, accompanied by the presentation of a new logo. This development marked an important moment in its institutional identity and offered an opportunity to communicate its work to a wider audience.

The 10th Kalanjali festival, held between 13 and 16 August 2026 at the Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Natyagruha Auditorium in Mahajanwadi, Mira Road East, featured a national-level classical performance competition with participants in Kathak and Bharatanatyam. ARTION served as the branding partner for the festival, handling its online and offline brand communication. The association allowed us to offer our professional capabilities to an initiative centred on artistic training, presentation and recognition.

The festival also included a special lighting ceremony attended by Marathi actor, theatre artist, editor and poet Girish Oak. The 10th edition of Kalanjali also featured ten special recognitions. Kavya Awate and Vrushti Naik received the Nritya Bhushan Kathak and Nritya Bhushan Bharatanatyam awards, respectively. Guru Pt. Manisha Tai Sathe and Guru Pavitra Bhat were presented with the Best Choreographer awards. Siddhi Nritya Kala Mandir, Guru Pavitra Bhat, Guru Shraddha Bhide, Kaushiki Kolhatkar, Khushi Lachyan, Aadvi Deshpande and Purva Godbole were also recognised through various awards for their contributions to the field of classical arts.

The 34th annual Guru Purnima celebration, held on 6 September 2026 at Yashwant Natya Mandir in Matunga, focused on the theme “Katha, Kirtan and Kavya.” Performers across junior and senior levels presented classical pieces, while Guru Bhavana Lele and her daughter Pallavi Lele Nipunge also participated in the programme. Pallavi’s involvement as a teacher at Kalanand added significance to the relationship between successive generations of mentors and practitioners.

These events also brought attention to a wider concern affecting cultural institutions, access to dependable performance venues. The Guru Purnima programme initially had a venue in Thane, with preparations planned around the confirmed date and location. Artists, musicians, costume professionals, photographers, videographers and makeup artists had arranged their schedules accordingly. A last-minute change, following the allocation of the venue for a political programme, required the event to be held in Matunga.

For cultural institutions, a venue is closely connected to planning, expenditure, artist availability and audience arrangements. A sudden change can place considerable pressure on the people involved, particularly when months of preparation have already been invested. The issue calls for greater attention to venue planning, booking procedures and the timely communication of decisions.

At ARTION, we believe that brand communication can help increase awareness of cultural initiatives by presenting their work with care and professional responsibility. Partnerships with institutions such as Lele’s Kalanand Nritya Sanstha allow us to support individual events while recognising the people who sustain artistic training over time.

Teachers, performers and cultural institutions require dependable spaces, strong partnerships and public appreciation. Supporting these requirements helps create better conditions for artistic practice and gives future generations opportunities to experience, learn and present India’s classical traditions.