NCPA Umang: Mohiniattam - Kuchipudi & Chhau

Nr̥tamālikā

Mohiniyattam duet 

by Malavika Lakshmi & Akshita Gopakumar

Echoes of Devotion and Desire

A Chhau–Kuchipudi Confluence

by Prashant Kalia & Ayana Mukherjee 

An NCPA Presentation Supported by HSBC India

Malavika Lakshmi is a passionate practitioner of Mohiniattam, Bharatanatyam, and Semi-Classical dance, balancing her artistic journey alongside academics as she pursues her BBA. LLB. (Hons.) at Saveetha School of Law. She has received intensive training in Mohiniattam under the guidance of Kalaimamani Smt. Gopika Varma, a Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, and in Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of Padma Vibhushan Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam and Smt. Anita Guha. Her talent and dedication have earned her recognition at prestigious platforms. She was awarded “Nrityakala Balaratna” at the All India Dance Festival, Chhattisgarh, and “Nrityakala Poorna” at the All India Dance Festival, Kannur. She was also honored by Bharat Kalachar with a full scholarship for her excellence in dance. Malavika has performed at several esteemed venues and festivals, including the Music Academy and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan during the Margazhi season, among many others. In addition to performing, she has contributed as a teacher, having served as a faculty member at Dasyam, the institution run by her guru Smt. Gopika Varma. She currently continues her teaching journey by conducting Mohiniyattam and Semi-Classical classes at Srushti School of Music, led by Smt. Vijitha Jeyaganeshan.

Akshita Gopa Kumar is a dedicated Mohiniyattam dancer, currently pursuing her B.A. in Natya at MGR Janaki Women’s College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She has been rigorously training in the classical art form of Mohiniyattam for the past seven years under the tutelage of Kalaimamani Smt. Gopika Varma at her institution, Dasyam. Over the years, Akshita has showcased her artistry at several prestigious platforms. Her notable performances include a Mohiniyattam solo at Ilamayil Thiramai 2025 at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai; a solo presentation at Peringottukara Devasthaanam, Kerala; and multiple Margazhi Festival solo recitals at Ayyappan Temple, Chennai. She has also had the privilege of performing at The Konark Dance Festival alongside her guru and team. As a young dancer, Akshita was selected as a demonstrating artist at SPICMACAY’s 8th International Convention at VNIT Nagpur, presenting with her guru Smt. Gopika Varma.

Ayana Mukherjee, an established Kuchipudi dancer, earned her pre-degree and bachelor`s honours from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, and received training at Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai, under revered gurus. For over a decade, she has been undergoing rigorous training under Padmashree Guru Jayarama Rao and Vanashree Rao, deepening her command of the art form. Her performances have featured at prestigious platforms across India and abroad including the Nehru Centre, London and Eler Theatre, Athens. Ayana conducts workshops and lecture demonstrations across rural and urban India, is associated with SPIC MACAY, a ‘B’ grade Doordarshan artiste and an empanelled artiste of ICCR.

Prashant Kalia is a distinguished master of Chhau, the martial and folk-dance tradition of eastern India, celebrated for his dynamic movements, powerful stances, and evocative storytelling. A versatile performer and choreographer, he is equally at ease with the rigor of Mayurbhanj Chhau and the fluidity of Contemporary, Jazz, and Ballet, reflecting his diverse training and artistic curiosity. Prashant has graced some of the most prestigious stages in India and abroad, including the Delhi International Art Festival, Nadaneerajanam Tirupati, Mahakumbh Parv, Surajkund Mela, Neemrana Fort, The Kalakshetra Foundation, international tours to Australia, and Indonesia with ICCR, Khajuraho Dance Festival, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Konark Dance Festival, Kala Ghoda Festival, India by the Nile Festival in Cairo, and the NCPA, Mumbai. Beyond performance, he has conducted workshops for CISF and NSG personnel for three consecutive years, bringing the discipline and spirit of Chhau into new contexts. With his ability to bridge tradition and innovation, Prashant continues to present Indian dance as a powerful expression of both heritage and contemporary creativity.

An NCPA Presentation Supported by HSBC India

Entry free on a first-come-first-served basis.

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