Naadam stands for “Nrithyakalasurabhi Artistic Association for Dance Arts and Music”, a collaborative initiative of two reputed institutions—Kalalaya Learning Center for Music and Dance (Trivandrum) and Surabhi Academy of Fine Arts (Mumbai). Founded by Ms. Vineeta Srinandan and Dr. Joy Krishnan, Naadam aims to promote, preserve and propagate Indian performing arts through festivals, workshops, seminars and competitions.
Over the years, Naadam has successfully hosted several prestigious events. Its early festivals include Nrithyakalasurabhi at Kodungallur Temple (September 2018), Nrithyakalakeli International Classical Dance Festival in Dubai (November 2018) and Naadam Nrithyotsav in Thrissur (April 2019), followed by the Nandikeshwara International Classical Dance Festival (Trivandrum) and Indradhanush Festival (Mumbai). The year 2020 began with the Nrityadhama International Festival and Competition in Delhi.
During the lockdown years, Naadam continued seamlessly in an online format, starting with the Natanam International Online Dance Festival (October 2020) and later the Ananthapuri International Online Festival (2021). Since then, major festivals such as the Naadam Nandikeshwara Festival (September 2022), Silapadikaram International Festival at Kodungalloor Temple, and the Bharatamuni International Classical Dance Festival (April 2025, Kannur) have been conducted with great success.
Each festival has featured senior gurus as chief guests including the living legends Padmabhushan Dhananjayans at Dubai and also Padmabhushan CV Chandrashekhar and a distinguished line-up of
artistes, with more than 250 performers in each edition.
Naadam concludes 2025 with the Naadam Nrithyotsav International Dance Festival and Competition, to be held at Agri Koli Sanskriti Bhavan, Nerul, on 27–28 December 2025. Renowned artist and Guru, Smt. Jayashree Rajagopalan , who is the senior most disciple of Padma Vibhushan Dr Padma Subramanyam will grace the occasion as the chief guest. The festival will feature eminent artistes including Dr. Ratheesh Babu (Bharatanatyam), Rasika Gumaste (Odissi), Asmita Thakur (Kathak), Aishwarya Harish (Bharatanrityam), Smruti Vaghela (Bharatanatyam) , Tamanna M (Bharatanatyam), Hrishikesh Page (Bharatanatyam), Ms Nisha Mangalampalli (Bharatanatyam), Dr. Joy Krishnan (Keralanadanam) and Vineeta Srinandan (Mohiniyattam), along with many promising young dancers.
The event promises an inspiring celebration of artistry, tradition and excellence in Indian classical dance.
All art lovers and connoisseurs are cordially invited.
