Mumbai, 27th March 2025: The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), India’s premier cultural institution, proudly presents its annual dance festival, Mudra, from April 3 to April 29, 2025, at the Experimental Theatre, Tata Theatre, Jamshed Bhabha Theatre and Dilip Piramal Art Gallery, Mumbai. Commemorating International Dance Day, this year’s festival continues its exploration of aharya—the visual aesthetics of Indian classical dance, including costume, jewellery, and makeup—highlighting its profound role in storytelling and artistic expression. Through an immersive lineup of performances, workshops, talks and exhibitions, Mudra 2025 explores the enduring significance of aharya in preserving India’s dance heritage and mythology.

The month-long festival spread across April, brings together some of India’s most celebrated dancers and performances that illustrate the storytelling power of aharya. The festival opens on April 3rd with Shobhita – the resplendence of aharya, a Kuchipudi production by the esteemed Vyjayanthi Kashi & troupe, capturing the essence of costume, ornamentation and timeless sculptures in the Kuchipudi repertoire. This is followed by Eka Prashna, an Odissi presentation by Dr. Aruna Mohanty & troupe, which portrays the voices of mythical women seeking answers. On April 10th, Rangasri Little Ballet Troupe will present The Ramayana – A Dance Drama in Puppet Style, a visually striking retelling of the epic using stylised masks and human puppetry.

Audiences can also look forward to a spellbinding Kathak performance by the renowned Saswati Sen, alongside an energetic showcase of Gujarati folk dances like Garba, Dandiya Raas and Tippani that are renowned for their colourful, intricate costumes by Avani Shah & troupe on April 11th. One of the most prominent classical dancers of India, Kathak stalwart, Pt. Birju Maharaj was one of the rare artistes who was able to create a link between classical dance form and Bollywood creating some beautiful songs in Hindi cinema which are still remembered for their uniqueness and authenticity. Some of these include ‘Mohe Rang Do laal’ from Bajirao Mastani, ‘Kaahe Chhed Mohe’ from Devdas, and ‘Main Radha Tu Sham’ from Vishwaroop (which also won the National Film Award for Best Choreography in 2012). Panditji’s illustrious choreographies from his bouquet of classical Kathak and cinema will be brought to stage by Saswati Sen along with her troupe.

April 27th will see Beeja – Earth Seed, an evocative Bharatanatyam production by Padma Shri Malavika Sarukkai, which contemplates humanity’s impact on the planet through dance. Spanning multiple forms, including Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Kuchipudi, and Gujarati folk traditions, Mudra 2025 promises an extraordinary journey into the visual and narrative power of aharya.

Speaking on the annual dance festival and celebrating the Aharya theme, Dr Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, Head of Dance, NCPA, expressed “As they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and in the performing arts, this is especially true. The visual elements—aharya—are not just an adornment but a vital part of storytelling in Indian classical dance. Whether it’s through intricate costumes, evocative make-up, or dynamic lighting, these elements enhance the dancer’s expression, transforming the performance into a deeply immersive experience. At the Mudra Dance Festival 2025, we celebrate how aharya elevates the art form, proving that the visual language of Indian dance is integral to its very essence.

Alongside stunning performances, the festival will feature a photography exhibition capturing the beauty of dance, a workshop on dance sketching to explore visual storytelling, and talks on the importance of the right kind of shoes in dance—each of which enriches the theme of aharya. These events will provide dancers with valuable insights, further deepening their understanding of how the right visual elements are essential to their craft.”

Talks, Workshops and Exhibitions | Venue: Dilip Piramal Art Gallery

Dance Through the Lens: A Visual Celebration

Exhibition by Avinash Pasricha (Till 29th April)

Dr Swapnokalpa Dasgupta in-conversation with Avinash Pasricha – Friday, 25th – 5.00 pm

Avinash Pasricha is one of the pioneers when it comes to dance photography who has the unique distinction and honour of photographing almost all the eminent musicians and dancers of his time. The exhibition will feature a guided tour by Avinash Pasricha of his iconic works and will be followed by a tête-à-tête with Dr. Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, Head – Dance department, NCPA on his prolific journey as a dance photographer.

Step in Style: The Art and Importance of Dance Shoes – Talk by Sandip Soparrkar – Sunday, 27th – 3.00 pm

In his insightful talk, ballroom dance exponent Sandip Soparrkar will highlight the crucial role of specialized footwear in enhancing a dancer’s performance, from ballroom shoes to ballet, jazz, flamenco, and tap shoes. Audience can gain an understanding on how each pair is meticulously designed to support movement, balance, and precision, ensuring dancers can perform with grace and confidence. The talk will also feature Soparrkar’s enviable collection of dance shoes handpicked from various parts of the world.

Ink and Elegance: Capturing Dance Through Sketches Workshop by Subodh Poddar – Monday, 28th – 11.00 am

Subodh Poddar, a graduate of Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Arts, is a multidisciplinary artist known for capturing the essence of live dance performances through sketches. In this workshop, participants will discover how to capture the rhythm, movement, and expression of dance through sketching, transforming performance into visual art with a unique artistic language.

Visual Storytelling in Dance: Decoding Aharya Talk by Malavika Sarukkai – Tuesday, 29th – 5.00 pm, Dilip Piramal Art Gallery

Bharatanatyam exponent Malavika Sarukkai will share a deeper understanding of the integral role of aharya in classical Indian dance. Sarukkai is renowned for her mastery of aharya abhinaya, where costume, ornamentation, and visual elements become integral to her storytelling. With a keen eye for aesthetics, she meticulously designs her stage presence, ensuring that colors, textures, adornments and props harmonize with the emotions and themes of her performances.

Tickets are available at the NCPA Box Office and on BookMyShow. For further details, visit www.ncpamumbai.com or book tickets at BookMyShow. Follow NCPA on social media for updates.

Tickets & Booking Information:

● Age Limit: 6+
● Late entry will not be permitted