About the Event

The CentreStage Weekend is an annual event in the KNMA Performing Arts calendar dedicated to young artists and collectives who work across different genres, and have made a mark in the performing arts through their exciting work and fresh perspectives. This year marks the third edition of the CentreStage Weekend which will take place on 29th and 30th November at the Triveni Kala Sangam Amphitheatre, New Delhi. It will feature Carnatic music prodigy Rahul Vellal and award-winning playback singer Uthara Unnikrishnan on the first day. On the second day, budding Odissi dancer Raaginni Hindocha and celebrated Bharatanatyam dancer Pritam Das will take the stage.

Day 1

29th November - Rahul Vellal & Uthara Unnikrishnan

Rahul Vellal

Carnatic music prodigy Rahul Vellal started learning Carnatic Music when he was four years old and has mastered the craft under the tutelage of renowned musicians such as Vidushis Ranjani & Gayatri, Vidushi Kalavathy Avadhoot, Vidwan Suchethan Rangaswamy & has been mentored by Sri Kuldeep M Pai. He has completed Grade 8 Western Piano at Trinity School of Music (London). Rahul has performed Carnatic classical concerts at several prestigious venues across India and internationally and entered the India Book of Records as the "Youngest Carnatic Musician to have performed in 7 countries" at age of 15. His talent has won him titles such as “BYJU'S Young Genius” in January 2022 on CNN News18, receiving recognition from Padmashree Shankar Mahadevan, “Deccan Herald Change Maker”, “Omkarashree”, at Muscat, Oman and his awards include the “Yuva Kala Ratna” Award for Classical Music from PSG Group, Coimbatore and the “Shanmukha Sangeetha Shiromani” Award for Classical Music from Shanmukhananda Sabha Mumbai, among many others.

Uthara Unnikrishnan:

Uthara Unnikrishnan’s musical journey began with learning Carnatic Music under her guru Dr Sudha Raja when she was six years old. Daughter of renowned Carnatic vocalist and playback singer P Unnikrishnan, she made her first appearance on the stage in 2011 alongside reputed playback singers Mr Srinivas, Ms Sujatha Mohan, and her father, along with Ms Swetha Mohan and Ms Saranya Srinivas. Uthara debuted as a playback singer in director Vijay's film Saivam with the song Azhage Azhage in the year 2014. The song topped global charts and won her the National Award for the Best Female Playback Singer, making her the youngest playback singer ever to receive a National Award. Alongside numerous awards for playback singing, Uthara has been awarded the MS Subbulakshmi endowment award and the title of Yuva Kala Bharathi from the Bharath Kalachar, Chennai in the field of classical music. Her independent albums and songs have earned her millions of followers on YouTube, and she regularly performs live concerts both solo and alongside her father.

Day 2

30th November - Raaginni Hindocha & Pritam Das

Raaginni Hindocha

Raaginni Hindocha, a disciple of Odissi exponent Smt. Sharmila Biswas, has trained at the Odissi Vision and Movement Centre since 2015. She has performed as a part of her Guru's ensemble in festivals across the country, such as the Serendipity Arts Festival, Konark Dance Festival, Dhauli Kalinga Mahotsav, Yaksha Festival, Naad Festival, NCPA Pravaha Dance Festival, Kalakshetra 70th annual Art Festival, among many others. She has been a part of numerous creative projects led by her Guru, including productions such as Manodarpan, Sutra and Murta Maheshwara as well as two dance films: Shiv Shakti and Departure. She regularly assists classes at OVM Centre and has assisted her Guru in numerous workshops.

Pritam Das

Born and trained in Kolkata, Pritam Das is a highly acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer. Pritam’s roots have deeply influenced his artistic journey. With initial training under Smt. Jayita Ghosh and Sri Samrat Dutta, he is now under the advanced tutelage of Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Smt. Rama Vaidyanathan. He has also trained in Odissi at Geetobani Kolkata. He has performed in numerous prestigious festivals, including Spirit of Youth, HCL Concert Series, the Uday Shankar Dance Festival, NCPA Mumbai’s Mudra Festival, Dhauli Kalinga Festival and the Ustad Alauddin Khan Samaroh, among others. He has been bestowed the Best Dancer award by The Madras Music Academy three times. He remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of Bharatanatyam while being rooted in tradition.