The Lotus Fellowship: A New Program Blossoms For Emerging Indian Classical Artists

India-West Staff Reporter

NEW YORK, NY — Arts India US has launched a new initiative to cultivate the next generation of Indian classical performing artists in the United States. The Lotus Fellowship, a one-year program, will provide emerging artists with mentorship, professional development, and a supportive creative community.

Inspired by the lotus flower, which rises from the mud to bloom, the fellowship aims to help artists ages 16 to 30 develop their artistic voice and gain visibility. The program is designed to bridge the gap between traditional training and the realities of building a sustainable career in the modern arts landscape.

What The Fellowship Offers

The Lotus Fellowship aims to provide a comprehensive support system for its participants. Key features include: mentorship, workshops, and community. Fellows will be paired with an Arts India US Mentor Artist, a distinguished performer, composer, or choreographer, to create a new work.

The roster of mentors includes renowned names such as Arun Ramamurthy, Roopa Mahadevan, Parul Shah, Jay Gandhi, Samir Chatterjee, Aditya Prakash and Aparna Ramaswamy. The program will also host workshops led by industry experts. These sessions will cover essential topics like artistic entrepreneurship, career sustainability, and navigating the arts industry. The program will utilize a cohort-based learning model, encouraging fellows to form lasting connections with their peers and foster a sense of shared stewardship for their art forms.

“We designed the Lotus Fellowship to meet the unique needs of U.S.-based Indian classical artists,” said Vani Krishnamurthy, Executive Director of Arts India US. “It’s not just about tradition—it’s about building infrastructure that helps artists thrive today and sustain the art form for tomorrow.”

Krishnamurthy, the founder, serves as an Associate at Harvard University’s Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asian Institute, overseeing efforts to increase the University’s engagement with South Asian Performing Arts. As a U.S. Fulbright Awardee, she is a scholar of Chola temple sculptures in southern India and Devadasi history.

Who Should Apply

The fellowship is open to Indian classical performing artists living in the U.S. who are between the ages of 16 and 30. Applicants should have at least five years of formal training and a strong desire to create original work. The program welcomes artists from various traditions, including music, dance, and interdisciplinary practices.

For more information and to apply: https://www.artsindiaus.org/