Mandala South Asian Performing Arts

Mandala South Asian Performing Arts is a MacArthur Award-winning organization providing the Midwest region with high-quality performance and instruction in arts from South Asia. Founded by Executive Artistic Director Pranita Nayar in 2014, Mandala is the first non-profit of its kind in the Midwest region. The organization connects audiences and students with the vibrancy, flavors, and colors of performing arts traditions spanning from the Himalayan ranges to the Indian Ocean, from Persia to Thailand and Indonesia.

Mandala offers evocative dance, theatre, and musical arts through both its professional ensemble and its academy programs. The academy provides dance and music classes for children and adults at two Chicago locations – Downtown in the Fine Arts Building and in Lincoln Park. Dance classes include traditional forms such as Bharatanatyam, Odissi, and Kathak, as well as Bollywood and contemporary fusion styles. Music instruction includes tabla (Indian percussion), vocal training, and other South Asian musical traditions. All classes are taught by world-class masters, experienced educators, and talented teaching artists.

The organization’s cornerstone is “tradition meets modern flair,” creating innovative, cross-cultural programming that brings folk and classical traditions as well as current and hybrid innovations to life. Mandala’s ensemble dancers and musicians present powerful performances that weave together multidisciplinary arts, showcasing classical, folk, contemporary, and Bollywood styles. The annual Mandala Makers Festival provides a platform for South Asian performing arts featuring emerging local talent alongside established artists.

Classes accommodate all skill levels from beginners to advanced students, fostering cultural awareness, artistic excellence, and community engagement. The organization promotes inclusivity and creates programs that serve community wants and needs while maintaining connections to traditional South Asian artistry and cultural heritage.