

September 26 - October 8, 2023 New Delhi
IGNCA and Pt Birju Maharaj’s Kalashram present KALAAKRITI, Pt. Birju
Maharaj's painting exhibition. This is the first of its kind which will
bring alive some rare facets of his persona through his paintings and
associated poetries.
At: Darshanam, ground floor, IGNCA, Janpath building, 10am to 6pm
RSVP: 88600 37546 / Info: sensaswati@rediffmail.com
October 4 & 5, 2023 New Delhi
Guru Shovana Narayan and Dr Jyotsna Suri’s annual LALIT ARPAN FESTIVAL (22nd edition) presents DVIPARNA.
4th Oct 2023: Dr Pallavi Lohani (Kathak) and Suhail Bhan (Bharatanatyam)
5th Oct 2023: Megha Nair (Mohiniyattam) and Vishwanath Mangaraj (Odissi).
At: the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi at 7pm.
October 6 - 8, 2023 Mumbai
NCPA presents the NAKSHATRA DANCE FESTIVAL 2023
- Oct 6:
‘Storm before the Calm’ - Bharatanatyam by Rama Vaidyanathan & troupe
‘Chitrangada’ - Rabindra Nritya by Sruti Performing Troupe & artistes from Shantiniketan
At: Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, 6.30pm
- Oct 7:
Shrimanta Yogi’ - Bharatanatyam by Vaibhav Arekar and Group
Odissi by Srjan
At: Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, 5pm
- Oct 8:
Kathak by Anart Foundation (Ishira Parikh & Maulik Shah)
Traditional Kathakali by Margi from Kerala
At: Experimental Theatre, 5pm
Info: (022) - 66223724/54
October 7, 2023 Chennai
Prabal Gupta presents LADY MACBETH, a Kathakali adaptation of William
Shakespeare's Macbeth in Kathakali as a part of the 70th year
Anniversary of Alliance Francaise Madras. Prabal plays Lady Macbeth,
Sadanam Vipin Chandran plays Macbeth.
Venue: Edouard Michelin Auditorium, Alliance Française Madras, 7pm. Entry is free.
Info: probs.gupta12@gmail.com
October 7, 2023 New Delhi
On the invitation of Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, an incredible Double
Bill from dancer and choreographer Aakash Odedra featuring the works,
ECHOES and CONSTELLATION, two solos choreographed by acclaimed artists
Aditi Mangaldas and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Each work draws on Aakash's
traditional background in Kathak and Bharatanatyam to create a distinct
flavour of contemporary and South Asian dance. This performance offers a
rare opportunity to experience an astonishing evening of dance by one
of the most talented British South Asian dancers of his generation.
‘Echoes’ was choreographed by Aditi Mangaldas in 2016.The bells in
'Echoes' become a metaphor of resonance, of freedom, of awakening. As
Aakash and Aditi worked together on this production the resonance of the
bells also awakened in them a special understanding of each other’s
creative sensibility.
In Constellation, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui seeks to highlight different
patterns of sound and different sources of light that come together to
create a constellation, a system where things are kept suspended and in
movement by each other’s gravitational fields & contending forces.
-Echoes
Choreography: Aditi Mangaldas
Lighting: Fabiana Piccioli / Music: Shubha Mudgal and Aneesh Pradhan
-Constellation
Choreography: Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
Lighting: Willy Cessa / Music: Olga Wojciechowska
At: Sunder Nursery at 7pm
Register
Info: knma@hcl.com
October 7, 2023 Kanchipuram
The Kattaikkuttu Sangam is back with the MAHABHARATA FESTIVAL 2023.
Spread over 10 subsequent Saturdays, the festival brings you an
exclusive series of Mahabharata performances. The shows are presented by
a cast of talented young and senior performers of the Kattaikkuttu
Sangam, including the first generation actresses playing both female and
male roles. On the 7th of October 2023 is Vilvalaippu or Draupadi's
Marriage, how Arjuna gains the hand of Draupadi during the bow contest.
The 1½ hour-show will start at 5pm and will take place at the auditorium
of the Kattaikkuttu Sangam in Punjarasantankal village near
Kanchipuram.
Info: +91 99443 69600 / kksfestival@gmail.com
October 7, 2023 Irinjalakuda
The 104th batch of G Venu’s Navarasa Sadhana students participate in
NAVARASOTSAVA OCT ’23. The performers are Sai Brindha Ramachandran (BN),
Chetna Dhyani (Manipuri & theatre), Nataraj Kumar Anhad (theatre),
Isha Talwar (contemporary dance) and Shereen Saif (storytelling).
At Natana Kairali in Irinjalakuda, Kerala, 6pm
Info: navarasasadhana@gmail.com
October 7 - 30, 2023 Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, New Delhi
Schedule for Ileana Citaristi and Art Vision.
- October 7, Bhubaneswar
Art Vision presents the 19TH SANGAM FESTIVAL, a confluence of dance. The
festival showcases two styles of dances every year. The first two
presentations are two premieres by Art Vision dance repertory; ‘Make
room for elephants’ inspired by the homonymous poem by Ruskin Bond and
‘Sarira’ a reaction to the shameful disrobing of two women in Manipur.
Choreography by Ileana Citaristi. The guest artist of the evening is
Gopika Varma and her team presenting ‘Kandein Swapnam’ a Mohiniyattam
production about dreams and their impact on our life.
At: Rabindra Mandap, 7pm
- October 9, Kolkata
Ileana Citaristi to perform a unique choreography based on poems on rain by two great poets
D’Annunzio-Tagore for the visit of Italian delegation to Kolkata. Program hosted by Italian
General Consulate of Kolkata in their own premises.
- October 15, New Delhi
Ileana Citaristi presents solo Odissi at the 8th edition of PARAMPARA-Guru Shishya
Tradition festival organised by Parichay Foundation at Constitution Club, New Delhi, 7pm
- October 30, Bhubaneswar
Ileana Citaristi is to receive the prestigious 17th Guru Debaprasad
Award-2023 on Oct 30 during the Guru Debaprasad Award Festival organised
by Tridhara from Oct 26 to 30. She will also perform Odissi solo during
the festival.
At: Rabindra Mandap, 7pm
Info: Ileana5@hotmail.com
October 8, 2023 Palo Alto, CA
Yuva Bharati in collaboration with Odissi Vilas and IGurukul Foundation
presents Rudrakshya ensemble from Bhubaneswar in an Odissi recital.
At: Cubberley Theater, 4120 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA, 5.30pm
Info: rudrakshyaodissi@gmail.com
October 9, 2023 New Delhi
Apsaras Arts and India Habitat Centre present a dance theatre
production, PARAMA PADAM - LIFE’S GAME OF SNAKES AND LADDERS.
Mohanapriyan Thayarajah's solo act of Bharatanatyam is based on the
board game snakes and ladders. It has three acts, using lyrics for only
brief introductory epithets and short explanatory narration in English
between acts. The first act: The Soul Yearns, elucidates the six zones
that have to be traversed to reach the seventh, which is ‘Vaikuntha’.
The second act: The Game Life, depicts the soul’s journey through
climbing up ladders and being pulled down by snakes and the third act:
Making the Right Choices in Life, has two segments. The third act
introduces Chitragupta, the accountant who keeps track of the good and
bad deeds as a guide who narrates several stories of those who attained
Parama Padam. The piece ends with the learning that the Parama Padam is
not a destination but a way of life that is guided by moral values.
At: Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, 7pm.
October 12 - 13, 2023 London
LONDON INTERNATIONAL SCREEN DANCE FESTIVAL
Details
At: Laban Theatre, London
October 12 & 13, 2023 Chicago, IL
Mandala South Asian Performing Arts presents a new approach to its
annual celebration of Diwali in a world premiere, DIWALI: ILLUMINATION,
with an Indo-jazz score by jazz guitarist Fareed Haque. Directed by
Mandala Founder and Executive Artistic Director Pranita Nayar and
choreographed by Nejla Yatkin with the dancers, the evening-length work
combines contemporary dance, jazz, ballet, and influences from South
Asian dance genres to depict the victory of light over darkness,
inspired by the mythological gods of fire, water, wind, and earth
prevalent in many world cultures.
A cast of 10 Mandala dancers trained in various dance styles—East Asian,
South Asian, Black American and Euro-Caucasian—perform this work
together, embracing new directions in contemporary Indian dance practice
under the direction of choreographer Yatkin. Before the dance
performance begins, Haque and an ensemble of musicians will present a
short performance of South Asian-influenced jazz.
At: 7:30pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph, Chicago.
Info: info@mandalaarts.org
October 13, 2023 Mumbai
NCPA presents UMANG featuring Chudamani Pradan and Keki Kantha in Odissi
by Shayomita Dasgupta & Subikash Mukherjee, and Pandurangam Bhaje
in Kuchipudi by Vasanth Kiran
At: Little Theatre Friday, 6.30pm
Info: (022) - 66223724/54
October 13,14 & 20, 2023 London & Newcastle
FORBIDDEN | Contemporary Dance based on Kathak, a solo performance by
Aditi Mangaldas. Why is the world scared of female sexual desire? Why
are women the world over, from conservative as well as liberal
societies, sanctioned, judged, controlled, hounded and eventually
punished to have the courage to own their desire?
Concept, Choreography and Dance: Aditi Mangaldas
Dramaturge: Farooq Chaudhry
Light Design: Michael Hulls
Music Composition (Recorded): Nickie Wells
Costume Design: Kimie Nakano
Mentor: Morag Deyes
- 13th & 14th October 2023: Sadler's Wells Theatre, London, UK (main stage)
Tickets
- 20th October 2023: Newcastle, Northern Stage, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RH
Tickets
Info: info@aditimangaldasdance.com
Website: aditimangaldasdance.com
October 14, 2023 Kochi, Kerala
Kalasagar commemorates the 31st death anniversary of its founder,
Kathakali maestro, the late Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval, as
GURUSMARANADINAM (Homage to Gurus) by honoring eminent performing
artists viz. RLV Damodara Pisharody, the great Kathakali actor (Vesham)
and veteran Kathakali musician Cherthala Thankappa Panicker, at a
function being organized by Kalasagar in association with Edappilly
Kathakali Aaswadaka Sadassu at Changapuzha Park near Kochi at 5pm.
The felicitation ceremony will be followed by Naalunokku Purappadu,
Melappadam and Kathakali play Nalacharitham Randam Divasam (Kattalan and
Damayanthi) by eminent artistes.
Info: kalasaagar@gmail.com
October 14, 2023 NYC
Towards the end of June, Attakkalari had the pleasure of having Paul
McEneaney, Director of Cahoots, a theatre company based in Belfast,
Northern
Ireland at its studio in Bengaluru for three days. Paul, who is
directing Cahoots’ new production VANISHING ELEPHANTS, has been in
conversation and collaborating with Attakkalari’s artistic director,
Jayachandran Palazhy for this multinational project. Jay, who is
choreographing the piece, led a team of Attakkalari’s talented dancers
who have also actively contributed to the production’s research and
creative process.
Paul along with Jay spent time with Attakkalari's young dancers and
students, engaging them in the creative processes during the R&D
phase of the production held in its studios. Set to premier on 14
October 2023 at the New Victory Theatre, NYC, The Vanishing Elephant is a
touching tale of a pachyderm on a journey far away from home. Along
with an impressive international creative team and cast, M.D Pallavi,
acclaimed singer, composer and actress based in Bangalore is also
lending her voice to the production. The Vanishing Elephant will
be produced during August – September in Belfast and will have a soft
launch there, before its premier in October in New York.
Info: info@attakkalari.org
October 18-21, 2023 Sydney, Australia
CHI UDAKA, Lingalayam’s collaboration with Ian Cleworth, Riley Lee and
Taikoz is being presented by the Sydney Opera House as a part of their
50th Birthday Celebrations. CHI UDAKA merges the scintillating drumming
of Taikoz and Riley’s soulful playing on the shakuhachi with
Lingalayam’s Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, together with John Napier on
the cello and Aruna Parthiban on vocal in a celebration of music and
dance that come together with integrity and harmony.
CHI UDAKA is an Australian work created by two Sydney based companies Taikoz and Lingalayam.
At: Sydney Opera House, 7.30pm
Info: anandavalli@lingalayam.com
October 19, 2023 London
Sonia Sabri Company presents ROSHNI. Roshni (from the Persian word
meaning light or brilliance) is an intimate crafting of dance and live
music, made up of three distinctive dance pieces: The Call, The Light
and The Wave which explore the highs and lows of life today. Sonia
Sabri (Kathak) and Sarvar Sabri (tabla), perform alongside musicians
Katie Stevens (kaval/ clarinet) Sam Slater (guitar/oud) and Emily Dore
(viola).
At: The Place, The Place Theatre, 17 Duke's Road, London WC1H 9PY, 7.30pm.
Info: soniasabricompany@ssco.org.uk
October 20 & 21, 2023 NYC
Aalokam Dance Company presents WE R DANCING, a two-day dance festival in
New York City. On Friday, October 20th at 7pm, dancer and choreographer
Maya Kulkarni curates a stellar lineup of dancers. Presented by Sophia
Salingaros and Jeeno Joseph, the event showcases a duet performance in
Bharatanatyam style. Ariaki Dandawate takes the stage with a traditional
piece executed in Kathak style. Sonali Skandan's presentation is a
display of the intricate Shilpanatanam style. The Aalokam Dance Company
offers a distinctive performance in the same Shilpanatanam style,
enriched by the innovative dance vocabulary crafted by Maya Kulkarni.
On Saturday, October 21st, at 6pm, a new solo work by Bharathi
Penneswaran called “Yakshini,” choreographed by Maya Kulkarni. Yakshinis
are beautiful and voluptuous mythical beings in Hindu, Buddhist, and
Jain mythology. This production metaphorically draws inspiration from
the works of notable Tamil, Sanskrit, Hindi literature and also draws on
the mythical characters from Tantric lore. Bharathi and Maya Kulkarni
bring these to life through evocative, stylized dance movements, and
complementing musical arrangements. The production is set to Carnatic
vocals, composed and produced by Sudha Raghuraman.
October 20th at 7pm & October 21st at 6pm
At: Rattle Stick Theater, 224 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014
Info: shilpaphilip.matt@gmail.com
October 21, 2023 Mumbai
NCPA presents NRITYAVANI Raas-Garba Nritya by Avani Shah & troupe.
It has been 38 years since Avani Shah began offering her prayers as a
devotee to Maa Durga, the Devi, through Indian traditional raas-garba
nritya.
At: Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, 6.30 pm
Info: (022) - 66223724/54
October 21 & 22, 2023 Bangalore
KALĀMĀRGA NRITYOTSAVA 2023 as part of Dhaatu Navaratra Mahotsava, a two day thematic classical dance festival.
-Saturday, Oct 21
5pm - Inauguration
5:30 pm - SHRINGARA SHARANAGATI by Divya Hoskere
The enchanting love story of Krishna and the Gopikas of Vraja that weaves into the blissful dance of rās.
6:45 pm - VARADARAJAM UPASMAHE by Harinie Jeevitha
A solo Bharatanatyam presentation based on the Brahmotsavam of Kanchipuram Varadaraja Swamy.
-Sunday, Oct 22
5:30 pm - SRI KRISHNA KARNAMRITAM by Nirupama Rajendra
The finest verses from poet Lilasuka's immortal poem, 'Sri Krishna
Karnamritam' painted through dance, bringing to life the joy of Krishna.
6:45 pm - DEVI by Shreema Upadhyaya
The divine feminine through the eyes of Adi Shankaracharya and Muthuswami Dikshitar.
Venue: Mandala Cultural Centre, Kanakapura Rd, Thalaghattapura, Bengaluru
The entry for the event is free. Donor passes are for only the first few rows.
More info
Info: kalamargadance@gmail.com
October 22, 2023 Chennai
The Dhananjayans are being honoured with the RUKMINI DEVI MEMORIAL AWARD
instituted by Hari-Hara Fine Arts, Hyderabad followed by
MEENAKSHI KALYANAM (Kuchipudi Nritya Roopakam choreographed by
Prof Dr. Ramalinga Sastri) .
At: Narada Gana Sabha, Alwarpet, Chennai, 5pm
Info: bkalanjali@gmail.com
October 28 - 30, 2023 Bhubaneswar
Guru Gajendra Panda & Tridhara present the 17th Guru Debaprasad Award Festival.
Info: +91 9861008127 / pandagajendra989@gmail.com
November 1, 2023 Bangalore
Sai Arts International presents SAI NRITYOTSAV 150 from 9am to 9pm at JSS auditorium featuring workshops and performances.
Info: saivenkatesh@gmail.com / +91 98440 89035
November 10, 2023 Santa Monica, CA
Leela Dance Collective presents an exclusive preview performance of
ENCOUNTERS WITH BEAUTY, with the Salastina music ensemble, as part of
The California Festival. Encounters with Beauty is a collaboration
between Leela Dance Collective kathak dance company that combines
classical dance from North India with contemporary influences, and
Salastina, hailed as a visionary chamber ensemble. Conceived and
choreographed by Kathak artistes and Co-Artistic Directors of Leela
Dance Collective Rukhmani Mehta and Seibi Lee, this work weaves together
evocative sounds of the Salastina string quartet and Hindustani
classical vocals with the percussive footwork and dramatic movement of
Kathak dance.
Leela Dance Collective artistes are: Rukhmani Mehta, Joanna Meinl,
Rachna Nivas, Carrie Jennings, Ahana Mukherjee, and Sonali Toppur.
Salastina artistes include: Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White
(Co-Artistic Directors and Violinists), Meredith Crawford,
(Resident Violinist), and Yoshika Masuda (Resident Cellist). Lead
composers for this performance are Derrick Skye (American Mirror) and
Reena Esmail (Beyond), among other contributors.
At: The Edye at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th Street Santa Monica, CA 90401, 8pm
November 11, 2023 Palo Alto, CA
Pratibha - A chamber concert presenting Kathak by Pooja Ganesh, disciple of Nirupama-Rajendra.
At: Midpen Media Center Studios, 900 San Antonio Rd, Palo Alto, 4pm. Free for all.
Info & RSVP: Yuvabharati.org
November 18, 2023 San Jose, CA
Yuva Bharati and Abhinaya Dance Company present NEW DIMENSIONS TO MARGAM by Rama Vaidyanathan and group.
Choreography and performance by Rama Vaidyanathan
Dancers: Kavya Ganesh, Reshika Sivakumar, Shubhamani Chandrashekar, Vaishnavi Dhore
Orchestra: Nattuvangam and Kanjira by Ashwin Subramaniyan, vocal by
Anugrah Lakshmanan, mridangam by Sannidhi Vaidyanathan, violin by
Vishwesh Swaminathan
At: Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave,, San Jose, CA, 5pm
General Admission $35 (abhinaya.org / yuvabharati.org)
November 19, 2023 Mumbai
Vidhya Subramanian presents a BN recital for Guru G.V. Ramani Natya Kala Foundation.
At 6pm in Vashi, Mumbai
Info: contact@vidhyasubramanian.com
December 8 - 10, 2023 Bangalore
GENDER BENDER 2023 invites applications from individuals and collectives
working in the arts to create new and original work around the idea of
gender. A multi-arts festival that celebrates questions of and fresh
perspectives on gender, Gender Bender is a joint project of the
Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Bangalore and Sandbox Collective
and is conceived, conceptualised, and curated by Sandbox Collective.
Gender Bender 2023 will showcase from December 8 to 10.
Submit your application before August 31, 2023.
For more info
December 9, 2023 Palo Alto, CA
Pratibha - A chamber concert presenting Bharatanatyam by Priyanka Raghuraman, disciple of Anitha Guha.
At: Midpen Media Center Studios, 900 San Antonio Rd, Palo Alto, CA, 4pm. Free for all.
Info & RSVP: Yuvabharati.org
December 26-30, 2023 Chennai
Krishna Gana Sabha presents TRANSCENDENCE - Natya that traverses,
transposes, transforms, in the 41st edition of the Natya Kala Conference
curated by Rama Vaidyanathan.
Schedule
January 3 - 9, 2024 Chennai
The Madras Music Academy presents 17TH DANCE FESTIVAL 2024.
Schedule
