'A celebration of Asian Indian culture.' Here's your guide to the 2022 Geeva Arts Festival

The summer festival season in Louisville is heating up.

For the 11th consecutive year, the Geeva Arts Festival, a celebration of Asian Indian culture, is set to take place during the second weekend in July.

Mother and daughter duo, Akila and Shyama Iyer, are founders and co-directors of the Guru Vandana Academy, the nonprofit organization responsible for hosting the event, will feature solo and group artists in the styles of Bharathanatyam, Kathak, and Kuchupudi, as well as two dance dramas.

"The Indian classical arts are complex, colorful, rhythmic, energetic, and ancient," Shyama told the Courier Journal. "You will see beautiful costumes, expressive stories, and an aesthetic with over 2,000 years of history. There are various forms of Indian classical arts, each with its own set of vocabularies."

More than 45 people applied to partake in the festival, "of which we chose five world-class shows to bring to Louisville," Shyama said.

Additionally, at least 25 volunteers and numerous donations were involved in putting the shows together.

"All the donations go into paying for artist’s travel, stay, compensation, auditorium costs and event insurance," Akila said.

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For spectators in Louisville, the Geeva Arts Festival may be the first time they've seen classical Indian performing arts.

"For many of us, Bollywood’s popularity has shrouded the richness of the true Indian arts," Akila said. "This is a rare chance to see the magnificence of these traditional artistic practices right here in our home, Louisville."

What is the Geeva Arts Festival?

The Geeva Arts Festival is a three-day event that showcases classical Indian performing arts, with a focus on bringing the "vibrant traditions of the Indian classical performing arts to the Louisville community, and to provide a professional opportunity for classical Indian artists throughout the world," Shyama said. "One word to describe the event? Celebration. It is three days of celebrating the long histories and diverse cultures of South Asia, as well as enjoying bright, fun, mesmerizing music and dance."

When and where is the Geeva Arts Festival?

The festival is taking place at the Hindu Temple of Kentucky, 4213 Accomack Drive on July 8, and at the Ursuline Arts Center, 3113 Lexington Road, July 9-10.

"The July 9 and 10 performances are much larger in scale," Akila said. "We use the Ursuline Arts Center because of its large capacity and great lighting and sound capabilities. Each day will feature different shows, and audience members need to purchase a different ticket for each day."

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How much are tickets to the Geeva Arts Festival?

The Friday, July 8 performance at the Hindu Temple is free to attend. Tickets to the July 9-10 festival performances at the Ursuline Arts Center are $15 and can be purchased at geevaartsfestival.com

The Geeva Festival is also a part of the "Cultural Pass," and those with a “passport” can attend for free. The cultural pass offers opportunities for people to attend events in-person as well as virtually free of charge. You can register at participating Louisville Free Public Libary locations.

What can people expect to see at the Geeva Arts Festival?

There are a diverse number of themes and artistic ideas that will be present at the three-day festival.

"You will see a variety of human stories that display love, loss, transcendence and growth throughout the festival," Akila said. "Not to mention incredible displays of rhythmic, and melodic prowess that are all secular."

Shyama says spirituality is a recurring pattern throughout all of the performances.

"I would say all of the featured performances are more spiritual, than they are 'religious,'" she said. "The powerful drums, lilting tunes, and graceful movements are calling out to a world beyond this physical one."

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Akila also added that Texas violinist Ananda Nadayogi will be honored, with the Geeva Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the Indian classical arts.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to purchase sarees, traditional Indian garments, authentic Indian tea and other refreshments during the three-day festival.

Culture and diversity reporter Jason Gonzalez can be reached at jgonzalez1@gannett.com.

Geeva Arts Festival

WHAT: The Geeva Arts Festival is a vibrant celebration of the classical Indian performing arts. In its 11th year, the festival will feature solo and group artists in the styles of Bharathanatyam, Kathak, and Kuchupudi, as well as two enchanting dance dramas. Established in 2012 by Guru Smt. Akila Iyer, Guru Vandana Academy is the nonprofit organization that conducts and maintains the festival.

WHEN: July 8-10

WHERE: Hindu Temple of Kentucky, 4213 Accomack Drive (July 8); Ursuline Arts Center, 3113 Lexington Road (July 9-10)

COST: $15 

MORE INFORMATION: geevaartsfestival.com​

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Geeva Arts Festival 2022 guide: dates, ticket prices, performers