# Event Details

- **Event Name**: NCPA Utkarsh: In Reverence to the Maestro
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 24 Jul, 2026 at 06:30 pm
- **Event Description**: Lecture demonstration by Bala Devi Chandrashekar on Exploring the Sculptural Repertoire, Karanas, and Rasa Sutra of the Natya Shastra


Bala Devi Chandrashekar is an internationally acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent, research scholar, and educator known for her distinctive scholarly approach to classical dance. Rooted in extensive research and collaboration with eminent scholars, her productions draw from ancient Indian texts and philosophies while presenting them in a contemporary, globally resonant context.

Born into a family of philosophers and literary scholars, Bala Devi trained under Guru Jayalakshmi Narayanan in Hyderabad and later under Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam in Chennai, who conferred upon her the titles “Bharata Nrtya Seva Mani” and “Nrtyasali” for her mastery of the 108 Karanas.

As Professor of Practice and Artistic Director of SPNAPA Academy of Performing Arts in Princeton, Bala Devi is deeply committed to teaching and interdisciplinary performing studies. She has also served as Fellow and Artist-in-Residence at Princeton University.

Over the past 25 years, Bala Devi has presented more than 500 performances across 40 countries and has created several critically acclaimed dance productions, including Uddhava Gita, Vishwam, Tripura, Karna, Brihadeeswara, and Mauli. Notably, she is the only Bharatanatyam exponent to have presented at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in both 2018 and 2024, and to have performed at India House during the Paris 2024 Olympics.


Exploring the Sculptural Repertoire, Karanas, and Rasa Sutra of the Natya Shastra

Rasa – The Aesthetic Experience in Bharatanatyam and Indian Temple Sculpture - An immersive lecture-demonstration and performance by internationally acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent Bala Devi Chandrashekar, based on the acclaimed production Mauli – A Timeless Tradition. The presentation explores the profound aesthetic philosophy of the Natya Shastra, focusing on Rasa Sutra, Bhava, Bharatanatyam, Karanas, Indian temple sculpture, and the devotional tradition.

The presentation investigates the Karanas, the foundational movement vocabulary of Bharatanatyam and Indian classical dance, as represented in the sculptural programs of South Indian temples, particularly the Tanjore temple tradition. It explores the dynamic relationship between dance, sculpture, sacred architecture, ritual, movement, and aesthetic philosophy.

Rooted in the ancient Indian treatise on dance and drama, the Natya Shastra, this lecture-demonstration examines how human emotion (Bhava) transforms into universal aesthetic experience (Rasa), evoking the timeless concept of the Rasa Sutra—a state of transcendental aesthetic relish. Through dance, music, scholarship, sculpture, and ritual aesthetics, the audience is led through a deeply sensory, emotional, spiritual, and transformative journey.

Entry free on a first come, first served basis.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/mumbai/ncpa-utkarsh-in-reverence-to-the-maestro/200030239046825
- **Event Categories**: art, performances, entertainment, theatre, literary-art, trips-adventures
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 15

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Mumbai
- **state**: MH
- **country**: India
- **location**: National Centre for the Performing Arts, NCPA Marg,  Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. INDIA , Mumbai, India 400021, Maharashtra
- **lat**: 18.92616
- **long**: 72.82073
- **full address**: National Centre for the Performing Arts, NCPA Marg,  Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. INDIA , Mumbai, India 400021, Maharashtra, India

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: NCPA Utkarsh: In Reverence to the Maestro
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/04035072dcb3ef7cb83183ee61102d7ab1cc78dcefb3dc5039367b655633f7c3-rimg-w1200-h675-dc000000-gmir?v=1782879878

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is NCPA Utkarsh: In Reverence to the Maestro being held?
  - **A:** NCPA Utkarsh: In Reverence to the Maestro takes place on Fri, 24 Jul, 2026 at 06:30 pm to Fri, 24 Jul, 2026 at 06:30 pm at National Centre for the Performing Arts, NCPA Marg,  Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. INDIA , Mumbai, India 400021, Maharashtra, India.
- **Q**: Who is organizing NCPA Utkarsh: In Reverence to the Maestro?
  - **A:** NCPA Utkarsh: In Reverence to the Maestro is organized by NCPA Mumbai.
- **Q**: What has been the experience of attendees at NCPA Mumbai's events?
  - **A:** NCPA Mumbai has 757+ followers on AllEvents, reflecting a trusted and active community of event-goers who follow their events. NCPA Mumbai has a verified profile on AllEvents where you can read reviews and explore their upcoming events.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** NCPA Utkarsh: In Reverence to the Maestro is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Mumbai, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If NCPA Utkarsh: In Reverence to the Maestro sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast.

## Structured Data (JSON-LD)

```json
[
    {
        "@context": "https://schema.org",
        "@type": "Event",
        "name": "NCPA Utkarsh: In Reverence to the Maestro",
        "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/04035072dcb3ef7cb83183ee61102d7ab1cc78dcefb3dc5039367b655633f7c3-rimg-w1200-h675-dc000000-gmir?v=1782879878",
        "startDate": "2026-07-24",
        "url": "https://allevents.in/mumbai/ncpa-utkarsh-in-reverence-to-the-maestro/200030239046825",
        "location": {
            "@type": "Place",
            "name": "National Centre for the Performing Arts, NCPA Marg,  Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. INDIA , Mumbai, India 400021, Maharashtra",
            "address": {
                "@type": "PostalAddress",
                "streetAddress": "Nat'l Ctr for the Performing Arts, Zubeda Building, Ncpa, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021, India",
                "addressLocality": "Mumbai",
                "addressRegion": "MH",
                "addressCountry": "IN"
            },
            "geo": {
                "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
                "latitude": "18.92616",
                "longitude": "72.82073"
            }
        },
        "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode",
        "description": "Lecture demonstration by Bala Devi Chandrashekar on Exploring the Sculptural Repertoire, Karanas, and Rasa Sutra of the Natya Shastra\n\n\nBala Devi Chandrashekar is an internationally acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent, research scholar, and educator known for her distinctive scholarly approach to class",
        "organizer": [
            {
                "@type": "Organization",
                "name": "NCPA Mumbai",
                "url": "https://allevents.in/org/ncpa-mumbai/526474",
                "description": "India's premier art and culture institution"
            }
        ]
    }
]
```