REVIEW / REPORT

When Ahmedabad chose to dance - World Dance Celebrations 2026

- Bijoy Shivram
e-mail: bijoyshivram@gmail.com
Photo credit: Pixel Studio

May 19, 2026

Some evenings transcend the idea of a cultural programme and become a collective emotional experience. The recently concluded World Dance Celebrations 2026, jointly organised by JG College of Performing Arts and Ahmedabad South Indian Association, emerged as one such rare and memorable artistic confluence - an evening where Ahmedabad did not merely witness dance, but celebrated its living, breathing pulse.

For the past fifteen years, the World Dance Celebrations have remained an inseparable part of the annual artistic calendar of JG College of Performing Arts. While the world observes International Dance Day on April 29, JGPA traditionally organises its celebrations on a Saturday before or after the official date, understanding that many artistes and institutions remain committed elsewhere on the day itself. This thoughtful decision gradually transformed the celebrations into a beloved annual gathering that dancers and institutions from Ahmedabad, across India and even abroad eagerly look forward to participating in. Depending upon the response each year, the festival has unfolded across one, two and even three days, steadily growing in scale, reputation and artistic significance.

Every edition of the festival has proudly commenced with performances by the Bharatanatyam and Kathak departments of JGPA, reflecting the institution's deep commitment to rigorous training and artistic excellence. Yet this year carried a different energy altogether. What initially began as a simple thought - of bringing together a few well-known dance institutions of Ahmedabad on one shared platform - soon evolved into something historic. The response from the city's dance fraternity was overwhelming. Institutions representing Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi and Mohiniyattam came together with extraordinary enthusiasm, transforming the event into a true celebration of artistic unity.

Bharat Bhariya & Akshar Patel with their group Nrityavali

Disciples of Vaishali Trivedi

Charmi Ashutosh from Bharatakalanjali

JGPA dancers Samrat Rathod & Bhagwat Prajapati

Twenty-four institutions and nearly eighty dancers participated in the festival, each bringing to the stage the distinct aesthetic vision, training methodology and choreographic identity of their respective Gurus. More than a performance platform, the evening became a powerful reflection of the Guru-Shishya Parampara that continues to sustain Indian classical dance traditions.

From the moment the auditorium began filling, there was a palpable vibrancy in the atmosphere. Costumes shimmered backstage, ghungroos resonated through corridors, dancers revised intricate passages one final time and audiences entered with eager anticipation. What unfolded through the evening was not competition, but camaraderie - institutions applauding one another, gurus blessing younger performers, rasikas encouraging every presentation with equal warmth.

The performances themselves were richly layered and beautifully diverse. Solos revealed intense individual artistry and emotional maturity; duets unfolded with lyrical synchronisation; and group presentations transformed the stage into moving architectural patterns of rhythm and grace. Though each institution was allotted only ten minutes, every presentation carried remarkable artistic depth and sincerity.

Kadamb - Parita Patel and Aarna Desai

Rasadhwani students Anokhee Shah & Rewa Malhotra

Students of Maheshwari Nagarajan

Students of Sudharani P

The participating dancers whose commitment, discipline and artistry gave life to the evening included Bhagwat Prajapati, Samrat Rathod, Aarna Desai, Parita Patel, Prashita Surana, Jhanvi Ambalia, Venu Ayachit, Yesha Bhatt, Naisargi Gor, Aastha Seth Patel, Rania Shah, Dhyana Shah, Anushka Mistry, Mana Shah, Aashna Shah, Dr. Neeha Amit Jhala, Salomi Shah, Anar Jaikrishna, Vaishali Shah, Khevna Shah, Vaama Patel, Anushka Shah, Shantanu Gosavi, Vihang Rukshan, Charmi Ashutosh, Rewa Malhotra, Anokhee Shah, Dr. Smriti Parekh, Nakshatra Menon, Minakshi Patel, Prachi Jani, Urvi Chauhan, Heli Gohel, Venisha Darji, Mahee Patel, Khanak Shrivastava, Priya Biju, Divya Rakecha, Brindali Patel, Benita Bejoy, Garvi Nagar, Nihira Pillai, Sucharita Tripathy, Dr. Priyanka Pati, Prachi Pati, Anjali Maharana, Alice Kedia, Manya Mehta, Janki Trivedi, Moksha Jain, Malha Patel, Anwesha Anumita, Helly Pandya, Varija Daga, Helly Panchal, Janya Patel, Punya Patel, Hetvi Panchal, Dhanvi Mistry, Aadhya Patel, Jaladhi Suthar, Dr. Devyani Acharya, Sruthi V.S., Sherin Mathew, Nitya B. Nair, Malini S. Unnithan, Dipal Khajanchi, Kavya Makwana, Shreeda Bhatt, Tirath Shrimali, Yuti Joshi, Drashti Panchal and Manushree Trivedi. Each performer, irrespective of age or experience, contributed to the collective spirit that made the evening unforgettable.

Lifetime Achievement Award to Guru Elakshiben Thakore

One of the most emotional and defining moments of the celebration was the honouring of veteran Bharatanatyam exponent Guru Elakshiben Thakore, who recently entered her ninetieth year. Widely regarded as one of Gujarat's foremost pioneers in classical dance, her contribution spans decades of relentless dedication to the art form. A specially curated short film tracing her remarkable journey of more than seven decades was screened during the evening, moving many in the audience deeply. For younger dancers especially, witnessing such a towering presence became both inspiration and blessing.

Madhavi Jhala's student Dr. Neeha

Students of Suprava Mishra

Shantanu Gosavi and Vihang Rukshan from Sanjukta Sinha Dance Company

Shubha Desai's disciples

The celebrations were graced by Prof. Dr. Ami Upadhyay as Chief Guest. A Kathak artiste herself and an ardent admirer of Indian classical arts, her presence added immense warmth and significance to the occasion. As Guest of Honour, Dr. M.P. Chandran once again reaffirmed his unwavering support towards the performing arts and the vision of JG College of Performing Arts. Also present were K.L.N. Sastry, Alex Luckose, Harikrishna Pillai and Jose Mathew, whose presence further strengthened the spirit of institutional collaboration and encouragement.

The evening also witnessed the gracious presence of several senior gurus, distinguished dancers, and cultural stalwarts who remained present throughout the lengthy celebrations, encouraging every participant with generosity and affection. Their continued presence until the final performance became one of the most beautiful aspects of the evening - a testament to the generosity and solidarity of Ahmedabad's artistic community.

The programme, which began slightly behind schedule at 6:40 pm, continued uninterrupted until 12:15 in the night. Yet remarkably, the energy inside the auditorium never diminished. Rasikas remained seated for hours, applauding every institution and encouraging every dancer till the very end. Such commitment from audiences has become increasingly rare in contemporary cultural spaces, making the evening all the more meaningful.

Another deeply thoughtful aspect of the celebration was the presentation of specially designed certificates dedicated to the memory of the legendary dance critic and historian Dr. Sunil Kothari. Instituted with the support of his nephew Dr. Gaurang Kothari and the Dr. Sunil Kothari Nrutyalaya Foundation, these certificates carried profound emotional and artistic significance.

Dinner arrangements for all participants, guests and volunteers further extended the warmth and hospitality of the organisers, allowing artistes from diverse institutions to interact, exchange ideas and celebrate together beyond the stage.

What ultimately made the World Dance Celebrations 2026 extraordinary was not merely the scale of participation, but the spirit behind it. At a time when artistic spaces often become fragmented, this gathering reminded everyone that dance remains a shared cultural inheritance - one that thrives through collaboration, mutual respect, mentorship and collective celebration.

As the final applause echoed through the auditorium long past midnight, and dancers slowly departed carrying costumes, flowers, certificates and unforgettable memories, one sentiment resonated unanimously among all present - this celebration must continue, year after year.

For one luminous evening, Ahmedabad did not simply host a dance festival. It became a dancing city.

Son of journalists K Shivram and Amni Shivram, the first Malayali woman English journalist, Bijoy Shivram is an accomplished Indian classical dancer trained in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. A passionate promoter of the arts and a skilled graphic designer, he currently serves as the Vice Principal of JG College of Performing Arts and the Assistant Director (Operations) overseeing 17 JG colleges. He is also the founder of Preksha, an organization dedicated to the promotion of art and culture in Ahmedabad. Since 2020, Bijoy has curated the YouTube series 'Gurudakshina - An Ode to our Gurus,' celebrating the legacy of mentorship and tradition.