India, 10th November, 2025: The NCPA Contemporary Dance Season unfolds this November with three days of performances that reimagine movement through fresh voices and powerful stories. Bringing together choreographers who bridge tradition and experimentation, the curation spans a remarkable range, from reinterpretations of the Mahabharata to explorations of women’s voices in mythology, and from creative dance to the wisdom of ageing performers. It’s a vibrant confluence of classical rigour, folk spirit, and modern imagination, spotlighting both celebrated maestros and emerging voices shaping the future of dance in India. Join us in celebrating this season of rhythm and imagination.
Day 1: Atirathis The Valiant Brothers by Sangeeta Sharma & Anveshana Society for Performing Arts Creative Dance & Rasabharatyam by Kohinoor Sen Barat & Troupe
Experimental Theatre | November 13, 2025 | 6:30 pm
An NCPA Presentation
The season opens with two evocative works that explore Indian mythology through contemporary movement. Atirathis – The Valiant Brothers, by Sangeeta Sharma and her Anveshana Society for Performing Arts, reimagines the Mahabharata’s moral complexities through the intertwined journeys of Kunti, Karna, and Arjuna. Blending the dynamism of Kalaripayattu and Chhau with the fluid grace of classical dance, Sharma transforms epic conflict into an intimate reflection on human emotion and choice.
A pioneering figure in Indian contemporary dance theatre, Sangeeta Sharma’s four-decade-long practice bridges classical, folk, martial and modern techniques. A disciple of the late Pandit Narendra Sharma and a recipient of the Ministry of Culture’s Junior and Senior Fellowships, she has represented India at global platforms, including the American Dance Festival and has nurtured grassroots talent through her community initiative in Andretta, Himachal Pradesh.
The evening continues with Rasabharatyam by Kohinoor Sen Barat & Troupe — a novel presentation that brings to life nine stories from the Mahabharata, each reflecting one of the Nava Rasas. Through a dynamic blend of drama, music and dance, Barat revisits the early 20th-century creative dance style pioneered by Uday Shankar, infusing it with his own theatrical flair and contemporary sensibility. Founder of Shinjan – Institute of Bharatanatyam & Creative Dance and recipient of the Uday Shankar Award, Barat’s choreography has been showcased at prestigious platforms such as the Biswa Banga Sammelan in Kolkata and the North American Bengali Conference in New York.
Age Recommendation: 6+ | Late entry not permitted
Duration: 2 Hours
Tickets (Inclusive of GST)
Day 2: Prime by Avantika Bahl & Troupe
Experimental Theatre | November 16, 2025 | 5:00 pm
An NCPA Presentation
Avantika Bahl’s Prime brings eight performers between the ages of 60 and 71 to the stage—Jhelum Paranjape, Faredoon Bhujwala, Francis Cardoso, Manuella Cardoso, Saraswati Devdas, Sunila Ashok, Venkateswaran Akileswaran and Venkatesh Iyer. This multi-disciplinary contemporary dance work, devised over nine months, responds to the physical realities of ageing bodies through abstraction and form rather than constructed choreography. The production celebrates knowledge over ability, translating years of accumulated wisdom into stage presence.
Avantika Bahl is a Mumbai-based contemporary dance practitioner and educator trained at the London Contemporary Dance School. She has presented her work at major festivals across India and received an award from KCC, Kolkata, in 2023. Her first pregnancy seven years ago shifted her relationship with physicality, planting the seeds for Prime. She is the Co-Founder of Nirvi for Women, an expert-led platform that supports women in the first 1,000 days of their motherhood journey. A graduate of the London Contemporary Dance School and a Level 3-certified Indian Sign Language practitioner, her work reflects a deep commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in the performing arts. Prime will be accompanied by installations by Rupali Gupte and Prasad Shetty, and a film by Sruti Visweswaran capturing the rehearsal process.
Age Recommendation: 6+ | Late entry not permitted
Duration: 1 hour 15mins
Tickets (Inclusive of GST)
Day 3: A Million Sitas by Dr. Anita Ratnam & Troupe
Experimental Theatre | November 23, 2025 | 5:00 pm
An NCPA Presentation
The season concludes with Dr. Anita Ratnam’s acclaimed A Million Sitas, a contemporary dance production that brings forth the often-overlooked voices of women in the Ramayana. Drawing from multiple versions of the epic across India and Southeast Asia, Ratnam explores the politics of desire through Sita, Ahalya, Kaikeyi, Manthara, Mandodari and Surpanakha. Through her distinctive Neo Bharatam style blending Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam, Kathakali and contemporary idioms, she provokes thought and challenges preconceptions about these timeless narratives. With nearly 50 shows over 13 years, A Million Sitas continues to evolve, having been performed in diverse spaces from grand stages to intimate venues.
Dr. Anita Ratnam is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and cultural activist known for her distinctive style that bridges classical and modern forms. She founded the Arangham Trust and created Narthaki.com, one of India’s pioneering dance portals. Ratnam also revived the theatrical ritual form Kaisiki Natakam, contributing to its preservation. A recipient of several honours, she has been awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contribution to the arts.
The presentation will be preceded by a talk titled ‘Shades and Shadows – Celebrating the woman in the Ramayana’ by Radha Kumar, Associate Professor – Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
Join us in celebrating the ever-evolving language of Indian contemporary dance, where tradition meets experimentation, and movement becomes a mirror to our times. Experience three evenings of compelling performances that challenge, inspire, and redefine the art of storytelling through the body.
Age Recommendation: 12+ | Late entry not permitted
Duration: 75mins
Tickets (Inclusive of GST)
