US fest inspired by South Indian culture, arts

The 7th season of Lincoln Centre’s ‘White Light Festival’ will open on Oct 16. Morris, who has spent decades traveling to southern India, attending annual festivals, concerts, and dance performances, will curate ‘Sounds of India’, a 10-part special focus on South India, the centre said. 

“This year’s White Light Festival spotlights artistic expression originating in and inspired by South India with a 10part special focus on India...exploring place, culture, tradition, and creativity of this vibrant region,” it said. 

Along with members of the Mark Morris Dance Group, artists rooted in centuries-old South Indian classical traditions including Jayashri, the Kerala Kalamandalam Kathakali Troupe, master percussionist V. Selvaganesh, musicians and dancers from Nrityagram, traditional vocal music dynamo TM Krishna, will “shed light on the universal nature of India’s artistic heritage and dynamism.” 

The series will also include performances by Bombay Jayashri, who trained as a Carnatic vocalist and became internationally known for the lullaby she sang in Life of Pi. The international multidisciplinary festival will have 41 performances in 10 venues over the course of a month, by artists and companies from nine countries.