Artistic Director Sudha Khandwani celebrates the 60 year anniversary of Kalanidhi Fine Arts which was originally founded in India.  Since coming to Canada 25 years ago Sudha Khandwani has presented 11 International Indian Dance Festivals which have brought Canadian audiences an experience of the 8 major forms of classical Indian dance as well as an awareness of a wide array of contemporary dance styles from around the world.  She has provided a stage for most of Canada's emerging Indian dance artists and nurtured their development through dance residencies given by master artists.  She has encouraged a deeper understanding of Indian dance through lively symposia and conferences.  Over the years Kalanidhi has presented major dance artists and companies from Europe, India, Asia, Africa, the U.S., and Canada.
This year's Festival includes 15 performances spread over three nights by artists and dance companies from India, California, and Toronto. On Saturday March 16th and Sunday March 17th here will be an afternoon Symposium featuring performers speaking about their work and a special presentation on the first 35 years of Kalanidhi in India.  There will also be a dance residency in Kalaripayattu which is a martial arts form frequently used in contemporary Indian dance conducted by the two principal dancers of Samudra Performing Arts. The Friday night performance of Menaka Thakkar Dance Company 's "Gita Govinda" will be simulcast to other locations outside Toronto.