For the past five years, dancer Geeta Chandran has been organizing World Dance Day celebrations.

This year too, there is a seminar and a two-day dance fest on May 2 and 3 in New Delhi.

This event is held in collaboration with the Sangeet Natak Akademi (the central government institution for promotion of folk and classical music, dance and theatre) and the India International Centre, this year too, interesting events will unfold.

First is a seminar 'Strengthening our Global Footprint: Strategies for Indian classical dance'. Geeta says that "while our dancers are excellent in their training and in their creativity, the new globalized world needs them to also be strategic planners with a well-defined template for sequenced action."

How Indian dance can pepper the world stage even more is the focus of this discussion that will be anchored by dancer/choreographer/cultural activist Anita Ratnam . Speakers: Senior dance critic Shanta Serbjeet Singh who now leads the Asia-Pacific Performance Arts Network (APPAN), dancer Jayant Kastuar who is Secretary, Sangeet Natak Akademi and international art festival director Sanjoy Roy.

The seminar is scheduled for 4 p.m. on May 2. Venue: IIC Auditorium, 40 Lodi Estate.

At the same venue, the Natya Vriksha Dance Festival 2009 will also unfold on 2nd & 3rd May. The festival opens with a Bharatanatyam performance by Ragini Chander Shekar, followed by a Kuchipudi recital by Arunima Kumar.

The next day, Sunday, May 3, Jayaprabha Menon will present Mohiniattam and Vidha Lal’s Kathak will be the concluding fare. Performances both days begin at 6:30 p.m.

For additional details, contact: natyavriksha@gmail.com