New Delhi, May 7 (IANS): Every summer, Shobha Deepak Singh, director of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra curates a ballet festival that has poignantly portrayed the contemporary relevance of Indian mythology and folklore through majestic dance-dramas like "Meera", "Durga", "Krishna" and others. But in a pioneering initiative, the Padma Shri awardee has for the first time invited choreographers and performers from outside the Kendra's domain.

Titled "Kendra Dance Festival," the festival will this year witness three dance-drama ballets -- "Samudranatanam-Jalam" choreographed by Madhu Gopinath and "Vakkom Sanjeev" (Kerala), Choreography works in Bharatanatyam by Justin McCarthy (Delhi) and "Movement And Still" choreographed by Kumudini Lakhia (Ahmedabad) -- apart from the Kendra's in-house and ever-popular dance drama ballets.

"The reason for inviting outside choreographers this year was to give a platform to these very talented yet seldom seen performers in Delhi. Also, it will be a new and unique experience for Delhi audience to see a diverse range of dance-dramas, ranging from mythology to folklore, from history of dance to conservation and environment, from traditional dance forms to varied contemporary styles," Shobha Deepak Singh said.

The Kendra Dance Festival will be held on May 9 (Meera), May 11 (Kaalchakra), May 12 (Shree Durga), May 17 (Samudranatanam- Jalam), May 18 (Choreographic works in Bharatanatyam), May 19 (Movement And Still) at the Kamani Auditorium here.