Chicagoland enjoys film on legendary Indian musician Annapurna Devi

Annapurna Devi. PHOTO: Annapurna Devi Foundation, courtesy Mandala South Asian Performing Arts.

Mandala South Asian Performing Arts drew enthusiastic audiences for screenings of the film 6-A Akash Ganga, directed by Nirmal Chander, at FACETS in Chicago on October 25 and Hollywood Cinema in Woodridge on October 26.

6-A Akash Ganga is a documentary that explores the life and legacy of Annapurna Devi, the reclusive Indian classical musician and first wife of Ravi Shankar. Using rare archival footage and intimate interviews, Chander reveals a story of genius, devotion, and the quiet strength of a woman who lived entirely for her art.

The film received the Best Documentary award at the 2024 Jagran Film Festival, Best Film at Film Southasia 2024, Best Indian Documentary Film at the 2024 Mumbai International Film Festival, and feature documentary runner-up at the 2025 South Asian Film Festival of Montreal.

Both screenings drew lively and engaged crowds, filling the theaters and setting the stage for art, conversation, and community, a press release from Mandala said.

Madhuvanti Ghose (L) and Nirmal Chander during the post-screening Q&A. PHOTO: Courtesy Mandala South Asian Performing Arts.

The Chicago event opened with welcoming remarks from Hiteshree Das, Mandala’s director of public art and programs, who reflected on the organization’s ongoing mission to foster cross-cultural dialogue through the arts.

Dr. Madhuvanti Ghose, the inaugural Alsdorf Associate Curator of Indian, Southeast Asian, and Himalayan Art, Arts of Asia, moderated a post-screening Q&A at each event, engaging in a conversation with director Chander. Audiences at both showings asked questions about the film’s narrative, its musical and visual language, and the deeper creative process behind 6-A Akash Ganga.

India’s Consul General in Chicago Somnath Ghosh and his wife, Anindita Ghosh attended the event. Chander’s wife Reena Mohan, the film’s editor, was present at both events.

Partial support for these events was provided by Dr. Umang Patel and Paragi Patel, and Dr. Ashok and Nirmita Dholakia.

Mandala South Asian Performing Arts Founder and Artistic Director Pranita Nayar (L) with director Nirmal Chander. PHOTO: courtesy Mandala South Asian Performing Arts.

The Board of Directors from Mandala Arts and India Development Service received guests and visiting artists, welcoming them on behalf of the organizations and promising a memorable experience for all who attended.

Other organizations who supported Mandala in its initiative include South Asian Classical Music Society and India Development Service, as well as the Indian Consulate of Chicago.

Mandala was founded by Artistic Director Pranita Nayar, and has received funding from the Joyce Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Art. For more information visit mandalaarts.org.