Godrej Dance Theatre | August 5, 2026 | 6.30 pm
An NCPA Presentation
Supported by HSBC India
The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) presents another edition of NCPA Umang – Promising Artiste Series , featuring two evenings of Indian classical dance that showcase the depth, diversity and evolving excellence of emerging performers. The series features Odissi Nrityargha, an Odissi recital by Dr. Pompi Paul and Rahul Roy, alongside Rudra-Shakti: The Untamed Cosmic Energy, a Kathak presentation by Dr. Khushboo Panchal, Purva Bhalerao and Yaashi Garg. Together, the performances celebrate two distinct classical traditions through devotional themes, intricate technique and expressive storytelling.
Odissi Nrityargha is a thoughtfully curated collection of traditional pieces from the Odissi repertoire that traces the form’s devotional, lyrical and rhythmic dimensions. The recital opens with the invocatory Mangalacharan – Manikya Veena, a Sanskrit hymn by Kalidasa in praise of Goddess Shyamala, before moving into the graceful Sringar Pallavi in Raga Ananda Bhairavi. The programme continues with Kasturi Tilakam, celebrating the beauty and divinity of Lord Krishna through expressive abhinaya, and concludes with the powerful Shiv Tandava Stotram (Jatatavi Galajjala), portraying Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance through dynamic choreography, intricate rhythm and vigorous movement.
In contrast, Rudra-Shakti: The Untamed Cosmic Energy explores the eternal union of Shiva and Shakti—the primordial forces of creation, transformation and balance. Beginning with sacred invocatory shlokas and the portrayal of Ardhanarishvara, the performance unfolds through traditional Kathak compositions, intricate footwork, expressive abhinaya and energetic bandishes dedicated to the divine couple. Rooted in the aesthetics of the Banaras gharana, the production culminates in a vibrant celebration of devotion, harmony and the boundless cosmic energy that sustains the universe.
Internationally acclaimed Odissi danseuse Dr. Pompi Paul, from Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, is a senior disciple of Poushali Mukherjee and has performed extensively across India, Europe and SAARC countries. A former dance teacher-cum-performer at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Bali under the ICCR and the Ministry of External Affairs, she also performed during the 2022 G20 Summit in Indonesia. She is the recipient of honours including the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman 2024, Shringar Mani and Odissi Jyoti, and has established the dance institutions Kalpodip and Kalatmika to promote Odissi in North Bengal. Joining her is Rahul Roy, a Grade ‘B’ artiste of Doordarshan Kendra Kolkata and a disciple of Dr. Paul for over fifteen years. Roy has received recognition including the Nritya Ragini Award, Odissi Shree and Odissi Pratibha.
Leading the Kathak presentation is Dr. Khushboo Panchal, an internationally acclaimed exponent of the Banaras and Kudu Singh gharanas. A disciple of Dr. Poonam Vyas, she has also trained in tala under tabla maestros Kalinath Mishra and Rajendra Arya, and was accepted as the gandabandh disciple of choreographer Saroj Khan. A Doordarshan-graded artiste, she is the recipient of honours including the Sanskar Bharati Kala Sadhak Samman, Nritya Ratna Youth Icon 2023 and Nritya Mani, and is the founder of Nrityaradhana Sangeet & Kala Mahavidyalaya in Ujjain. She is joined by Purva Bhalerao and Yaashi Garg, dedicated Kathak practitioners from Nrityaradhana Nritya Mandir, who have trained extensively under her guidance and have performed at several prestigious cultural platforms in India and abroad.
NCPA Umang – Promising Artiste Series is the NCPA’s platform dedicated to showcasing and nurturing promising artistes across diverse dance traditions. Celebrating creativity and excellence, the series provides emerging dancers with an opportunity to present their artistry before audiences while contributing to the continued growth of India’s rich classical dance heritage.
Age Recommendation: 6+ | Late entry not permitted
Entry: Free on a first-come, first-served basis
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.
Our tagline is Presenting Promising Artistes. The one used by you belongs to Indian Music. Pls don’t mix the two
Pls change
It is not a series, rather an evening
