From Reels to Rigor: Making Classical Dance Matter Again

Excerpts

Q. What inspired you to centre Mudra Dance Festival 2026 around children and young learners this year?

A. Mudra has always been a thematic festival, and over the years we have explored scale, quality, and presentation. This time, we wanted to return to the roots and understand how the next generation is engaging with Indian classical dance. What is our future really looking like? That question led us to focus on children and young learners. A key part of the festival is the post-show discussions where teachers, students, and parents come together to reflect on training, discipline, and motivation. It becomes a shared learning space where children also teach us how to teach them better, while we guide parents on nurturing commitment and curiosity in their children.

Q. In a city like Mumbai, how do you encourage children to stay committed to classical dance?

A. What is fascinating is that many children who train in dance also excel academically. Dance trains the brain in ways we often overlook, from memory and multitasking to presentation and confidence. It shapes how a child carries themselves. At the same time, motivating children to stay committed is a challenge for every parent. Through the festival, we are opening up conversations around simple, effective ways to encourage practice. Sometimes it is as basic as creating an environment where the child naturally feels drawn to dance, like playing their practice music and letting them return to it instinctively. These shared insights from teachers and parents make a real difference.

Q. Do you believe early exposure to classical dance can shape not just artists, but more mindful individuals?

A. Absolutely. Dance is a physical medium, and the younger you begin, the more adaptable the body is. But beyond that, early exposure builds focus and discipline because learning becomes a child’s primary engagement at that stage. Even if someone takes a break later in life, returning to dance becomes easier because that foundation exists. We see many adults coming back to classical dance after years, and that connection stays with them because they experienced it early on.

Q. How does the Mudra Interschool Dance Competition aim to change the way schools and parents view classical arts?

A. The competition is specifically designed for academic schools rather than dance institutions to bring classical dance back into mainstream school culture. Many schools have trained classical dance teachers, yet performances often lean towards popular styles. This initiative is already shifting that mindset. Teachers are being asked to teach classical forms, schools are recognising how many students are already learning it, and parents are seeing its value. Importantly, it creates visibility and appreciation within schools, something that has often been missing. When children receive recognition for classical dance, it encourages others to explore it too.

Q. What does nurturing the next generation of dancers mean to you personally beyond the stage?

A. It is about continuity. What we have received from our gurus is like a precious crystal that must be passed on carefully. Each generation has the responsibility to keep it alive and relevant. If we do not nurture the next generation, the tradition risks losing its vitality. So this work is not just about performance, it is about preservation and evolution at the same time.

Q. As both a performer and curator, how do you balance preserving tradition with making classical dance relevant for today’s generation?

A. For me, it is important to stay actively engaged as a performer and teacher while curating. That keeps the connection real. At the same time, relevance comes from understanding how today’s children think and engage. Sometimes that means integrating familiar formats, like encouraging students to create dance content, which motivates them to practice. Through initiatives like outreach programmes and training in schools across Mumbai, we are also expanding access and exposure. The goal is to ensure that classical dance is not confined to a few spaces but is experienced widely, allowing children to discover its depth in their own way.