You have Successfully logged In !
Already have an account? Login
By clicking Register you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Don't have an account?Register
Enter your E-mail address below, We will send the verification code
Please enter the code send to
Didn't receive the email?Click to resend
Your password has been successfully reset!.
Please login again to access your account.
An OTP has been sent to
Enter the 4-digit code
By Hariharan U
Published on December 18, 2025
Bharatanatyam exponent Bala Devi Chandrashekar has long been known for her deeply researched, philosophically rooted productions that seamlessly weave together shastra, sculpture, music and literature. Her latest work, Mauli – A Timeless Tradition, draws from the centuries-old Pandharpur wari and the Varkari movement, presenting devotion not as spectacle, but as lived, collective experience.
In conversation with Hospitality News Magazine, Bala Devi Chandrashekar speaks about the inspiration behind Mauli, her multidisciplinary approach, artistic evolution, and how platforms like the Sangam Festival continue to showcase the enduring relevance of India’s classical dance traditions.
The Pandharpur wari and the Varkari tradition inspired Mauli – A Timeless Tradition because they embody an unbroken, living continuum of bhakti that has flowed across centuries without reliance on spectacle or patronage.
At its core lies a radical spiritual democracy, where devotion dissolves distinctions of caste, class and scholarship. The poetry of the Varkari saints offers profound philosophical depth rooted in lived experience rather than abstraction.
The physical act of pilgrimage, walking, singing and surrendering resonated deeply with me as embodied spirituality, aligning naturally with Bharatanatyam’s kinetic language. Mauli emerged as an artistic response to this collective, timeless surrender to Panduranga Vittala.
For Mauli, the multidisciplinary approach allowed the Varkari tradition to be experienced not merely as history, but as a living philosophy embodied in form.
Shastra provided the philosophical framework, while temple sculpture and iconography shaped spatial design, stance and kinetic geometry. Abhanga poetry and kirtan traditions informed the musical and rhythmic architecture, guiding both narrative pacing and emotional contour.
Literature anchored the choreography in lived devotion, translating metaphysical ideas into accessible human experience. Together, these disciplines converged to create a cohesive narrative where movement becomes an act of collective remembrance and surrender.
The values of equality and collective humanity were translated primarily through movement and musical architecture rather than visual spectacle. I consciously employed minimal stage props, allowing the body, rhythm and shared spatial pathways to carry the emotional and spiritual weight of the wari.
Elaborate musical structures rooted in abhanga, kirtan and cyclical laya shaped the collective pulse and guided the choreography. The movement vocabulary emphasised walking patterns, unison phrases and grounded repetition, reflecting devotion as a shared, lived experience. This restraint in design ensured that the focus remained on collective surrender and the inner journey central to the Varkari ethos.
Mauli reflects my artistic evolution towards greater restraint, depth and inner clarity, shaped by decades of performing across diverse global contexts.
The recognition as Natya Kala Visharadha Ha reaffirmed my commitment to scholarship-driven work where tradition is not presented as nostalgia, but as a living ethical force. This production distils movement, music and philosophy into an offering rather than a display, privileging collective emotion over individual virtuosity.
Through Mauli, I hope audiences are reminded that devotion can be egalitarian, participatory and profoundly humane. The enduring message is that spiritual continuity is sustained not by grandeur, but by humility, shared faith and walking together.
This year’s Sangam Festival brings together a thoughtfully curated set of productions that reflect the breadth and vitality of India’s classical dance traditions. From Ananta Nartana, which celebrates expansive ensemble movement, to Vichitra Pradarshini, showcasing distinctive creative voices within a classical framework, the festival foregrounds both continuity and innovation.
Together with Meenakshi, which draws from mythological and devotional narratives, the festival demonstrates how classical dance continues to evolve while remaining deeply anchored in tradition. The diversity of themes, choreographic approaches and ensemble work makes the performances accessible and engaging for a wide audience. Collectively, the productions affirm classical dance as a living art form rich in heritage, expressive in content and relevant to contemporary audiences.
25th December 2025 | 7:30 PMBrahma Gana Sabha, TAG Dakshinamurthy Auditorium, PS High School, Mylapore, Chennai
27th December 2025 | 5:30 PMKartik Fine Arts, Bhavan Auditorium, Mylapore, Chennai
4th January 2026 | 5:30 PMParthasarathy Swami Sabha, R K Swamy Auditorium, Mylapore, Chennai
9th January 2026 | 5:30 PMBharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mylapore, Chennai
30th December 2025 | 10:00 AMKartik Fine Arts, Bhavan Auditorium, Mylapore, Chennai
JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Hosts First International Culina...
JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru is set to host its first interna...
The LaLiT Ashok Bangalore Celebrates Onam with an Authentic ...
The LaLiT Ashok Bangalore is set to celebrate the spirit of ...
Taj Retains World's Strongest Luxury Hotel Brand Title for F...
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality co...
JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Appoints Dr. Nisarga V M as Spa Man...
JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has announced the appointment of Dr...
Published on August 2, 2026
The Point Break Challenge got underway in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, marking Stop 3 of the Surfing Federation of India (SFI) National Surf Series, India's premier national surfing championship circuit. The opening day witnessed nearly 80 surfers from seven to eight coastal states competing across multiple categories.
The competition features athletes in the Men's Open, Women's Open, Under-18, and Under-14 divisions, with every heat contributing valuable points towards the national championship rankings.
Mahabalipuram's renowned right-hand point break provided ideal conditions for the opening day. Known for its long, peeling waves, the surf break offered competitors the opportunity to showcase high-performance surfing and extended rides, making it one of the most anticipated venues on the national calendar.
Among the standout performances, Shrikanth D led the Men's Open category with wave scores of 9.00 and 7.67, while Kishore Kumar dominated the Under-18 Boys division with scores of 9.33 and 8.17. His 9.33 emerged as the highest single-wave score recorded on the opening day. In the Under-14 Boys category, Prahalad Sriram topped the leaderboard with scores of 6.50 and 6.33.
As the third stop of the national championship circuit, the Point Break Challenge plays an important role in shaping the overall standings before the series moves to the Covelong Classic in Kovalam, Chennai, scheduled from 6–8 August.
Following the domestic circuit, Mahabalipuram will also host the WSL Shore Temple Classic from 12–16 August, giving Indian surfers the opportunity to compete on home waves in an international event.
The Point Break Challenge will continue until 1 August 2026 and is supported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), and TT Group. The event is organised by the Surfing Federation of India (SFI) and the Tamil Nadu Surfing Association (TNSA).
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on August 1, 2026
Yes Madam, India's leading at-home beauty and wellness platform, has partnered with CarryMen, India's on-demand human assistance platform, to introduce a unique shopping experience that blends convenience with wellness.
As part of the collaboration, shoppers using CarryMen's assistance service at Lajpat Nagar are invited to the CarryMen booth after completing their shopping, where trained wellness professionals from Yes Madam provide complimentary massages. The initiative is designed to help shoppers relax and recover after walking through busy markets and carrying heavy shopping bags.
The partnership combines CarryMen's assistance service with Yes Madam's wellness expertise to make shopping more comfortable from start to finish. While CarryMen helps shoppers manage heavy purchases, Yes Madam addresses the physical fatigue that often follows long hours of shopping.
By bringing together convenience and personal care, the two brands aim to transform a regular shopping trip into a more enjoyable and refreshing experience.
Commenting on the collaboration, Aditya Arya, Co-Founder and CEO, Yes Madam, said, "We, at Yes Madam, always believed that wellness should seamlessly become a part of people's everyday lives. Recognizing CarryMen's innovative approach to solving everyday consumer needs, we saw an opportunity to complement that experience with our expertise. This collaboration brings together convenience and care in a way that enhances the overall shopping journey. As we continue to innovate, our focus will remain on building solutions that don't just deliver services but enrich everyday experiences. Collaborations like these redefine how consumers experience convenience and wellness in their everyday lives."
The collaboration highlights how brands can work together to create meaningful consumer experiences by combining practical services with wellness. By making shopping both easier and more relaxing, the initiative sets a new benchmark for experience-led services in India's retail ecosystem.
Published on July 31, 2026
Royal Ranthambore Whisky, the premium whisky brand from Radico Khaitan Ltd., has reaffirmed its commitment to India's tiger conservation efforts on the occasion of World Tiger Day through its ongoing partnership with The Corbett Foundation.
The collaboration supports conservation initiatives focused on habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring, veterinary care, livestock health camps, and community-led programmes that promote coexistence between wildlife and local communities living around forest landscapes.
India is home to more than 70% of the world's wild tiger population. According to the latest All India Tiger Estimation, the country's tiger numbers increased from 2,967 in 2018 to an estimated average of 3,682 in 2022, reflecting an annual growth rate of 6.1%. Since the launch of Project Tiger in 1973, the country's network of tiger reserves has expanded from nine to 58 reserves covering nearly 84,500 square kilometres across 18 states.
The company highlighted that nearly one-third of India's tigers now live outside designated tiger reserves, underlining the importance of wildlife corridors, habitat connectivity, and community participation in long-term conservation efforts. Protecting tigers also contributes to the preservation of forests and numerous other species that share these ecosystems.
Earlier this year, Royal Ranthambore introduced its Royal Ranthambore Heritage Collection, featuring six limited-edition collectible packs inspired by iconic Indian tigers and showcased through traditional Indian art forms. The collection combined wildlife conservation, storytelling, and cultural heritage while drawing attention to the legacy of India's celebrated tigers.
Commenting on the initiative, Kunal Madan, Chief Marketing Officer, Radico Khaitan Ltd., said the tiger has always been central to the Royal Ranthambore brand identity and represents India's rich natural and cultural heritage. He added that the partnership with The Corbett Foundation reflects the brand's commitment to supporting meaningful conservation efforts and preserving this legacy for future generations.
Launched in 2022, Royal Ranthambore Heritage Collection Whisky has emerged as one of Radico Khaitan's premium brands, receiving international recognition at the Monde Selection Awards and The Fifty Best. The brand also recorded more than 50% growth during FY2026, strengthening its presence in India's premium whisky segment
Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!
Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.
By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Advertise With Us
We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.
A platform dedicated to showcase the skills and creativity of hospitality professionals. Share your articles, videos and other content related to the industry and get recognized for your unique perspective and expertise. By posting your content and gaining likes from your own community, we'll categorize your talents and expose them to the hospitality world. Join our community of passionate hospitality professionals and let your talent shine!.
Already have an account?Login
By clicking you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Subscribe for ₹2,000 and receive our monthly magazine for one year (12 months) from the coming month and save 2 months cost.