Monday, 28 September 2026 | 11.00 am – 1.00 pm
Mini Auditorium, L Block | Presidency University, Bengaluru

 

Presidency School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Presidency University, in association with Nrityantar Academy of Performing Arts, Bengaluru, presents an academic colloquium exploring the many dimensions of Indian classical dance beyond the performance space.

 

Titled ‘Beyond the Performance: What Sustains an Art?’, the colloquium brings together distinguished voices from the worlds of Indian classical dance, the arts, academia and journalism for an open conversation on practice, purpose and the living world of Indian classical dance.

 

The colloquium forms the academic extension of NAMAN 2026, Nrityantar’s annual Odissi dance festival, which brings together gurus, dancers, scholars, writers, critics and journalists from across the country. The colloquium provides an opportunity for these voices to engage with students and faculty in an academic setting, creating a wider conversation around the practice, preservation, interpretation and continuing relevance of classical dance.

 

The session is designed as a space for listening, questioning and exchange, giving students an opportunity to engage directly with experienced practitioners, scholars, writers and cultural commentators.

 

Distinguished Panellists

• Smt. Leela Venkataraman — Eminent Dance Expert, Writer & Author
• Smt. Tapati Chowdhurie — Senior Performing Arts Writer & Author
• Shri Kiran Prakash — Resident Editor, The New Indian Express, Kochi
• Shri V. Kaladharan — Senior Performing Arts Writer & Scholar
• Shri Ashish Mohan Khokar — Dance Historian, Archivist, Author & Writer
• Dr Choodamani Nandagopal — Eminent Art Historian & Academic
• Guru Ratikant Mohapatra — Renowned Odissi Guru, Choreographer & Director, Srjan
• Dr Pritha Sanyal — Head, Presidency School of Liberal Arts & Sciences
• Shri Shyamhari Chakra — Senior Journalist & Arts Writer
• Shri Kedar Mishra — Poet, Writer, Academic & Commentator
• Shri Romal Singh — Lifestyle Journalist & Assistant Editor, Indulge, The New Indian Express

ART | ACADEMIA | PRACTICE | PURPOSE