Date:03/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/03/stories/2007040317500600.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Endowment to support talented young artists

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: VitalSpring Foundation, an NGO promoted by US-based VitalSpring Technologies, plans to establish a National Endowment of Indian Fine Arts to support talented young artists in Indian performing arts.

The organisation will float a coalition of CEOs in the United States and India, who will participate in efforts to lend financial support to students and fresh graduates aspiring for a career in Indian music, dance and performing arts in India and the US.

Sreedhar Potarazu, president and CEO of McLean, Virginia-based VitalSpring Technologies, said till date, over one million dollars had been pledged by corporates for the effort.

A patron of kuchipudi dance, he said as part of the initiative, the Foundation would sponsor a monthly dance series at The Music Academy beginning April 5. Titled `Ambassadors of Art', it will support emerging artists internationally to perform at the Music Academy.

In addition, the foundation will spearhead creation of a performing arts curriculum focussing on music and dance, in a new school to be launched in Hyderabad, Mr. Potarazu said. The foundation promoted the first-ever Dance Festival of The Music Academy in January.