Artist Fellowships

The Leela Foundation is proud to provide direct financial support to Indian classical music and dance artists in the U.S and India through various awards and fellowships. The foundation’s awards aim to recognize master artists whose contributions and achievements have shaped the field of Indian classical art and paved the way for future generations of artists. Meanwhile, the foundation’s fellowships engage established and practicing artists in residencies, performances and workshops. The foundation places a special emphasis on supporting women in the field, actively seeking out emerging women artists across genres 

Fellowships Awarded

In December 2020,  we presented our inaugural artist awards to three acclaimed musicians. These awards recognized the integral contributions they have made to the field of Indian classical dance and music as a whole and to the legacy of renowned kathak artist Pt. Chitresh Das specifically. Each award was accompanied with a cash It was especially meaningful, in a time when the pandemic has created a crisis for those who make their living in the arts, that we were able to make these awards to three of India’s finest classical musicians.

Debashis Sarkar (posthumously)

Jayanta Banerjee 

Ben Kunin