ABC Grant Funds Classical Indian Dancing in Memphis

By Dr. Ramana Vasili, Spiritual Foundation, Inc.

Spiritual Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit public organization established by Mrs. Chandra Prabha Vasili and myself in Cordova, Tennessee to promote living a meaningful life. I believe the arts, meditation, yoga and literature are the greatest resources to understand the real meaning of life, and to remind one’s vision and mission of life. Yoga and meditation teach you how to lead a meaningful life through self-realization and connecting to higher consciousness. Whereas the arts, such as music, drama, dance, art and literature help build better communities, make towns and cities more habitable, and nations with rich values.

Spiritual Foundation is among organizations in Memphis (Shelby County) to receive a Tennessee Arts Commission Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant for 2016. Spiritual Foundation was awarded the grant for the special project, “100 Days: Indian Classical Dance Training.” The Foundation serving under the banner, Indian Ballet Theater offered Indian Classical (Kuchipudi) Dance lessons from August 16, 2016 through November 23, 2016. Classes were offered Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at Spiritual Foundation in Cordova; Thursdays and Fridays at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Collierville; and Saturdays and Sundays at the India Cultural Center and Temple in Eads.

More than 20 children were trained in Indian Classical Dance during the 100 Days project. The students performed on October 8 during the Brahmotsavams and Navarathri celebrations of Lord Venkateswara’s Temple (ICCT) in Eads; on October 9th during Batukamma and Dasara celebrations of Telugu Association of Memphis; and November 5th during Indiafest 2016 of India Association of Memphis. Spiritual Foundation celebrated the successful completion of the project on December 16th at the Church of the Holy Apostles. Telugu Association of Memphis Cultural Secretary Mr. Ratnakar Vana attended the event and awarded certificates and Holiday gift bags to the students. Parents, families and friends attended the electrifying event and enjoyed the delicious food prepared by the parents. Spiritual Foundation distributed free spiritual books authored by late Sri Sarvari, a senior journalist, author, poet, spiritual guide and philosopher to all attendees.

Learn more about Spiritual Foundation, Inc.