8th Annual TriNethra – The Third Eye Festival of Dance

Founded in 2015 by renowned dancer and choreographer Jayshree Bala Rajamani, TriNethra – The Third Eye Festival of Dance seeks to promote and preserve the rich classical dance traditions of India. Its very name reflects its vision — to open the audience’s “third eye” to the beauty, depth and spiritual resonance of Indian dance.

TriNethra creates an elegant, meaningful and soulfully-uplifting space where dancers and audiences connect in a truly transformative experience. Artists are specially invited and compensated for their art, honoring their dedication and ensuring that their work is valued. Over eight editions, more than fifty celebrated artists from across the USA and abroad have graced its stage.

The festival has presented some of the most respected names in classical Indian dance — including Rama Vaidyanathan, Roja Kannan, Vaibhav Arekar, and Dr. Kaberi Sen — as well as unique forms like Yakshagana, featured in a special 2018 presentation. Audiences have experienced a diverse spectrum of dance traditions including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Shilpa Natanam, and innovative collaborative works by both local and international performers.

A vital part of TriNethra’s mission is to offer young dancers in the U.S. — who have trained in these classical forms — an opportunity to perform beyond their Arangetram, Rangapravesh, or Manchpravesh, giving them a platform to grow as artists and connect with wider audiences.

Honored as a recipient of the Mass Cultural Council Festival Award for multiple years, TriNethra is New England’s oldest and most celebrated classical Indian dance festival. With each edition, it deepens the shared experience between dancer and audience — a moment of collective joy, inspiration and awakening.