Mumbai, 12th February, 2026 : The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, presents the culminating performances of NCPA Nrityagurukul 2025–2026, a thoughtfully designed programme dedicated to nurturing India’s classical and traditional dance forms through the time-honoured guru-shishya mentorship model. Over three evenings in February and one in March at the Experimental Theatre, NCPA Nrityagurukul showcases an inspiring lineup of young dancers trained by some of India’s most revered dance maestros, promising an unforgettable celebration of artistry, discipline, and heritage.
For many of the participating shishyas, the programme has meant far more than rehearsal hours. It has meant holistic immersion into lineage, philosophy, technical training, and lived practice. Coming from diverse social, regional and economic backgrounds, the dancers represent different realities of India’s classical arts landscape. Some have travelled from small towns and rural settings where access to advanced training is limited. Some have balanced financial constraints alongside their artistic pursuits. Others have navigated social and cultural barriers in order to continue their training.
Nrityagurukul creates a space where such differences are acknowledged, but not defining. What unites the dancers is a shared commitment to moving beyond technical proficiency towards artistic maturity. The year-long mentorship allows extended time with their gurus, encouraging rigorous practice, close correction, repertory development and, equally importantly, reflection. It is a process that gradually shifts the dancer’s identity from student to emerging artiste.
The first edition of the Nrityagurukul programme will culminate with a performance by the Shishyas showcasing their journey from dancers to artistes. Opening the series of shishya performances on Monday, 16th February, are two distinct classical traditions shaped by devotional and aesthetic inquiry.
Priye Charushile, presented by Mayanglambam Nongdambi Chanu, Mutum Mangangleima Devi and Ningthoujam Henthoi, disciples of Guru Priti Patel, draws from Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda. Rooted in the bhakti tradition of Manipuri, the work explores divine love, longing and surrender through lyrical movement and refined expressivity.
Sharing the evening is Rangasudhā, performed by Aishwariya Singhdev, Preetisha Mohapatra, G. Sanjay and Rajkumar Kar, disciples of Guru Ratikant Mohapatra. The Odissi presentation celebrates the aesthetic essence of the form, where sculptural line, rhythmic clarity and emotive depth converge into a cohesive artistic offering.
The second evening, on Tuesday, 17th February, presents two productions that engage with structure, philosophy and form.
Vakrākāra, performed by Anoushka Rahman, Namaha Mazoomdar and Daquil Miriyala under the guidance of Guru Surupa Sen of Nrityagram, reflects on the curved geometry that defines Odissi. Through its unfolding arc, the production examines the relationship between discipline, repetition and artistic becoming.
The same evening features Vajragovinda-daśāvatāram, performed by Sayak Mitra, Pinki Mondal and Shreetama Chowdhury, disciples of Guru Piyal Bhattacharya. Drawing from Jayadeva’s Daśāvatāra and interpretive traditions of the Natya Shastra, the work explores the evolution of consciousness through movement, voice and embodied expression, presenting a rarely seen approach to Marga Nritya.
Thursday, 19th February, the shishyas will two presentations centred on narrative and relational themes.
Bandhanam – Bonds That Bind, performed by Priyanka Rawat, P. Vaishnavi and Laxmi, disciples of Guru Rama Vaidyanathan, is a Bharatanatyam production that reflects on familial relationships and generational values through a traditional varnam composed by Dandayuda Pani Pillai.
Trimitee, is a Kathak presentation by Pramod Wagh, Shraddha Mukhade and Nayan Kohale, disciples of Guru Shama Bhate. Structured in Raag Hameer and moving through Krishna Vandana, Teentaal and Tarana, the work brings together technical dynamism, abhinaya and narrative devotion within the Kathak tradition.
The final evening on Wednesday, 5th March, features two productions exploring historical narrative and artistic practice.
Chandragupta Maurya – The Rise of a True Warrior, performed by Soumya Bose and Ankita Sengupta, disciples of Guru Sujata Mohapatra, is an Odissi dance drama portraying the transformation of Chandragupta from obscurity to righteous kingship under the guidance of Chanakya, celebrating the victory of dharma over tyranny.
Sharing the evening is Acharati, presented by Gautam Marathe, Eesha Pinglay and Poorva Saraswat, disciples of Guru Vaibhav Arekar. The Bharatanatyam production reflects on constancy and transformation through selected pieces of the margam, with nrtta and abhinaya segments reimagined as a trio rather than a solo.
Reflecting on the significance of Nrityagurukul, Dr. Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, Head of Dance – Programming, NCPA said, “Nrityagurukul was conceived to bridge a vital gap in the classical dance ecosystem. While many young dancers dedicate years to rigorous training, the journey from dancer to artiste demands sustained mentorship and meaningful stage exposure. This programme offers both — allowing emerging dancers to grow within the security of their lineage while discovering and refining their individual artistic voice. Rooted in the guru–shishya parampara and thoughtfully integrated with contemporary perspectives, Nrityagurukul provides holistic guidance and relevant exposure, enabling young artistes to envision and navigate the many possibilities within a career in dance.”
Through these performances, NCPA Nrityagurukul 2025–2026 underscores the vitality of the guru–shishya tradition and the diverse journeys of the young dancers who carry these forms forward.
Event Details
Venue: Experimental Theatre, NCPA Mumbai
Dates & Timings:
- Manipuri & Odissi — Monday, 16th February 2026 | 6:30 pm
Manipuri by Guru Priti Patel’s shishyas
Odissi by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra’s shishyas
- Odissi & Marga Nritya — Tuesday, 17th February 2026 | 6:30 pm
Odissi by Guru Surupa Sen’s shishyas
Marga Nritya by Guru Piyal Bhattacharya’s shishyas
- Bharatanatyam & Kathak — Thursday, 19th February 2026 | 6:30 pm
Bharatanatyam by Guru Rama Vaidyanathan’s shishyas
Kathak by Guru Shama Bhate’s shishyas
- Odissi & Bharatanatyam — Wednesday, 5th March 2026 | 6:30 pm
Odissi by Guru Sujata Mohapatra’s shishyas
Bharatanatyam by Guru Vaibhav Arekar’s shishyas
Entry: Free on a first-come, first-served basis
About NCPA:
The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, is India’s premier cultural institution. Inaugurated in 1969, it was the first multi-venue, multi-genre cultural centre in South Asia. The NCPA is committed to preserving and promoting India’s rich and vibrant artistic heritage in the fields of music, dance, theatre, film, literature and photography, as well as presenting new and innovative work by Indian and international artistes from a diverse range of genres including drama, contemporary dance, orchestral concerts, opera, jazz and chamber music. Today, the NCPA hosts more than 700 events each year, making it India’s largest and most holistic performing arts centre.
