This piece of ephemera is unique as it is an official document for the use of a committee, and not a document produced for the general public. Such documents are a valuable resource that displays the organizational aspect of festivals, especially the prestigious Festival of India series, which was designed to showcase Indian culture to the world. Supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), we are able to observe what styles of dance the Indian government saw value in showing abroad to the USSR: classical dance. There are categories for folk and tribal dances, yet they are not specifically named, which reveals the significance of the classical styles. Additionally, along with Sunil Kothari, the Classical Dance Advisory Panel illuminates those with significant reign in the Indian dance world.

Bharatanatyam is perhaps the most iconic “classical” dance tradition in India. It is therefore natural that the style has a strong presence in the diaspora, but it also comes with its challenges as reflected in this brochure. The organizers had the goal of keeping the tradition “alive” as opposed to merely “preserving” it. This suggests an awareness that the classical tradition may have to adapt for new audiences and to changing times. The events in this conference contribute to this theme, with a panel titled, “Bharatanatyam in the Diaspora: The Past the Future” and a keynote, “Presenting Old Texts to New Audiences.”