Presidency University Brings Dance Scholars and Artists Together to Explore What Keeps Indian Classical Dance Alive
Indian classical dance is often experienced through performances on stage. But what sustains an art form across generations? What connects movement with emotion, tradition with changing times and performance with the knowledge behind it? These questions came up for discussion at the Presidency University Performing Arts Colloquium 2026 in Bengaluru.
Organised by the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (SoLAS) at Presidency University,in association with Nrityantar Academy of Performing Arts, the colloquium was held as an academic extension of NAMAN 2026. Its theme, “Beyond the Performance: What Sustains an Art?”, brought together dancers, scholars, critics and journalists to examine the many dimensions of Indian classical dance.
The discussion went beyond technique and stagecraft to explore the philosophy, discipline and cultural traditions that shape an artist’s practice. Drawing on Bharata’s Natya Shastra, the panellists discussed bhava (emotion), rasa (aesthetic experience),tala (rhythm) and how these elements connect artistic expression with human experience.
The panel featured dance critic and scholar Leela Venkataraman, performing arts critic Tapati Chowdhurie, Odissi guru Ratikant Mohapatra and dance historian Ashish Mohan Khokar, among other distinguished panellists. Dancer, art critic and writer Aryayani Bhargav moderated the discussion.
Preserving India’s diverse performing arts traditions was another key theme. Conversations on the evolution of Odissi, regional dance forms and the documentation of ancient texts highlighted the role of research and archiving in keeping artistic knowledge alive.
For students, the colloquium offered an opportunity to engage directly with experts and explore dance through historical, cultural and intellectual perspectives. An interactive question-and-answer session encouraged them to exchange ideas with the panellists.
The event reflected how university campuses can become spaces where disciplines intersect and ideas develop through conversation. By bringing practitioners and scholars together, Presidency University created an opportunity for students to look beyond the performance and understand the knowledge, histories and traditions that keep an art form alive.