Below is a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions from applicants and our detailed responses. This Q&A is meant to clarify the program structure, expectations, timelines, and logistics.

1. How long do we work with the mentor/resource person before the performance? Is there a timeline or schedule?

• Each artist will receive 4 hours of dedicated mentorship from the resource person.

• These 4 hours may be split into sessions (e.g., 2 hours initial + 2 hours after revision).

• This timeline applies once the artist is selected and chooses their performance window.

2. Why is mentorship time limited to 4 hours?

• The program allocates 4 hours per selected artist, which is covered by Chakra.

• If an artist wishes to work beyond this time, they may choose to hire the resource person independently.

3. What will the program do to facilitate the conversation with the resource person?

• Chakra arranges Zoom-based mentorship sessions for each artist. During these sessions, the resource person will:

• Listen to and review the selected item

• Share context about the composer, literary background, regional associations, and thematic intent

• Discuss meaning, imagery, and interpretive depth

• Review choreography if desired

• Offer suggestions to enhance clarity, storytelling, and audience engagement

• The goal is to provide deep artistic insight that elevates the performer’s understanding and presentation.

4. What are the expectations and timeline for mentoring?

• Artists will work with the resource person during the period leading up to their chosen performance window.

• Mentorship = 2–4 hours total, divided as needed to:

• Begin the exploration of the piece

• Revisit the piece after incorporating feedback

5. Am I required to create a new piece for this program? 

• No.

• Artists may choose either to:

  • Rework an existing piece, or

  • Present a newly created piece

  • The choice is completely up to the artist.

6. What does the application fee cover?

• The fee covers administrative and incidental expenses incurred during the selection process.

7. How will we manage fairness if some pieces require more mentorship time than others?

• Every artist receives the same 4 hours funded by Chakra.

• If additional time is needed, artists are welcome to schedule and pay for further sessions privately.

8. Are we providing guidelines on what kind of pieces the artists should work on?

• There are no strict guidelines.

• Artists may use their 4 hours however they see fit—whether for:

  • Literary exploration

  • Refining choreography

  • Deepening interpretive layers

  • Reviewing multiple small items or one major item

A suggested structure is:

• Varnam as the central piece

• Couple of smaller items as additional material

(This is a recommendation, not a requirement.)

9. When and where will performances take place?

• Performance locations  for the year:

  • New Jersey

  • Virginia

  • Chicago

  • Seattle

  • Artists will provide their preference of the locations after being chosen artists for chakra for the year. However, the organizers reserve the right to allocate based on various considerations.

10. What does “readiness to experiment” mean?

• This does not mean creating a new piece.

• It means being open to:

  • Feedback

  • Adjustments

  • Reworking sanchari or narrative elements if they do not align with the thematic imagery

11. Are there restrictions on repertoire (e.g., must it be a varnam)?

• We encourage—but do not require—a structure including:

  • One varnam

  • A couple of shorter items

  • Artists have flexibility based on their artistic vision.

12. What is the difference between “resource person” and “mentor”?

• They refer to the same individual.

• To avoid confusion, we will standardize the term as “resource person.”

13. Who should the recommendation letter be from? Must it be from a teacher?

• A recommendation may come from:

  • Your teacher, OR

  • Any senior artist who knows your work well.

14. Do artists who have recently moved from India qualify to apply?

• Yes.

• Artists recently settled in the U.S. are fully eligible to apply.