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IDEA Festivals and Key Events

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​1994

  • Foundation of IDEA: A group of Indian dance instructors established the Indian Dance Educators Association (IDEA) in Arlington, Virginia, to increase the community’s exposure to various styles of traditional Indian dance.

  • Asha Vattikutti served as the Resident Agent, CEO of IDEA with a new board being elected every two years

  • Founding Members: Anuradha Nehru, Asha Vattikuti, Christel Stevens, Meena Telikicherla, Radha Ganesan, Shobha Subramaniam, Sukanya Mukherjee.

  • IDEA “Lok Nritya Utsav” Folk Dance of India, Montgomery College, MD

1995 

  • IDEA presents “Sharavana Bhava Om”, High School Auditorium, MD 

1997

  • IDEA “Colors of India” Dance Festival -  Dances of India, Convention Center, VA

  • IDEA presents “Temples of India”, Lisner Auditorium, DC

1999

2001

  • November 2001, IDEA “Jhankaar” Dance Festival of India, Annandale, VA

2003

2002-2004

  • IDEA formed a Young Art Leaders Forum to include younger dancers and encourage them to learn more about non-profit arts administration. 

  • Emerging Arts Professional Performance, Arlington, VA

2005

  • September 3 - 4, 2005 IDEA “DanCelebration 2005”, Arlington, VA 

  • Have to fill in date - but we had a show in 2005 Summer/Fall - venue: Parilla Performing Arts Center, Rockville, MD

2007

  • November 16 & 17, 2007 IDEA “Dance Festival Of India” Rockville, MD, and Arlington, VA

2009

2011

  • October 29-30 IDEA “Living Dance” A Dance Festival of India, Arlington, VA

2013

  • April 2013 IDEA Professional Development Conference, Universities at Shady Grove, MD

  • October 26, 2013 IDEA “Silverscreen” Celebrating 100 years of Indian Cinema through Indian Classical Dance, Spectrum Theatre, Arlington, VA

2014

  • March 22, 2014 IDEA: “Nourish our Roots” Dance Festival 20th Anniversary, Arlington, VA 

2015

  • Presentation at the Embassy of India, inviting mainstream arts organizations and granting agencies to demonstrate to them that there is a growing and thriving group of Indian Classical dancers in the DMV who are waiting to be presented. 

  • Krishnaveni Gurrapu joins the Board of IDEA and becomes the Board Liason & Secretary for the organization supporting its day to day administration.

  • April, 2015, Vasant, Gunston Theatre, Arlington, VA 

  • October 17, 2015 IDEA: Folk Dances of India - Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

  • October 31, 2015, IDEA: Dhol Baje, Gunston Theatre One, Arlington, VA

2016

  • Shruthi Mukund becomes CEO: bringing her expertise in arts programming, research, and community engagement to the organization.

  • Krishnaveni Gurrapu becomes the Resident Board Liaison for the organization.

  • August 14, 2016, IDEA Folk Dances of India at Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center

  • November 12, 2016, IDEA Festival: KALPANA - Arlington, VA 

  • November 17, 2016 IDEA: Indian Dance American Music  - Wolf Trap (in collaboration with pm Embassy of India and Library of Congress)

2017

  • Updated Bylaws to match the strategic change in the direction of the organization.

  • March 2017 IDEA Professional Development Conference

  • November 18, 2017 IDEA: An Evening of Indian Dance : Meghadoot The Cloud Messenger  - Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts 

2018

  • Lakshmi Babu Appointed Resident Treasurer: Lakshmi Babu, a dedicated member of IDEA, took over the Treasurer role, providing financial leadership and support to the organization.

  • IDEA moved its headquarters from Arlington, VA, to Bethesda, MD

  • November 9, 2018: IDEA: Meghadoot The Cloud Messenger - Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center

2019

  • January 19, 2019: "Jhankaar - Rhythms of India" at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

  • January 20–21, 2019: PASTFORWARD, IDEA Dance Festival at Black Rock Center for Performing Arts, Germantown, MD, and Dance Place, Washington, DC.

2020

  • March 7, 2020: Holi Festival of Color dance showcases at BlackRock Center for the Arts, Germantown, MD.

  • April 18, 2020: Virtual Professional Development Conference: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, IDEA hosted a virtual professional development conference, offering members opportunities for learning and connection.

  • Fall 2020: Online weekly Facebook live performances by IDEA members

2021

  • Spring 2021: Online weekly Facebook live performances by Rangpravesh completed student members

  • April 29–May 2, 2021: Resilidance International Dance Festival: IDEA presented the Resilidance International Dance Festival online, showcasing global Indian classical dance performances and fostering international collaboration.

2022

  • Fall 2022 -  IDEA Professional Series 2022 (weekly, virtual) October 21- December 9th 2022

2023

  • January - May 2023 - Abhinaya Salon Series - presented in collaboration with the Gandhi Memorial Center, Bethesda, MD

  • May 13, 2023: Silverscreen Dance Festival at Olney Theatre: IDEA hosted the Silverscreen Dance Festival, sponsored by the Embassy of India, celebrating 75 years of India through film and dance performances.

  • November 23, 2023: IDEA Jhankaar at Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center

2024 

  • Collaboration with Black Rock Center for the Arts: IDEA partnered with Black Rock Center for the Arts to celebrate Holi, bringing Indian classical dance to a broader audience.

  • Lakshmi Babu becomes the CFO & Resident Treasurer of the organization.

2025

  • Collaboration with Black Rock Center for the Arts: IDEA partnered with Black Rock Center for the Arts to celebrate Holi, bringing Indian classical dance to a broader audience. An Indian Classical Dance competition and series of Lec-Dems were also held as a part of this event. 

  • October 2025: IDEA@30 Gala, celebrating 30 years of dedication to the art and education of Indian dance.

  • Krishnaveni Gurrapu becomes the Managing Director of the organization.

©2022 by Indian Dance Educators Association.

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