The NCPA presents Aham Pravahini and Urjataranga: An evening of Bharatanatyam and Kathak by Shobanaa Bhalchandra and Amruta Paranjape

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) presents an evening celebrating two distinguished Indian classical dance traditions through Aham Pravahini, a Bharatanatyam production by Shobanaa Bhalchandra & troupe, and Urjataranga, a Kathak performance by Amruta Paranjape & troupe. While Aham Pravahini traces the metaphorical journey of a river through movement and music, Urjataranga explores the rhythmic vitality of Kathak through traditional repertoire and original choreography. Together, the two performances offer audiences an engaging exploration of storytelling, rhythm and expression in Indian classical dance.

Aham Pravahini is inspired by Khalil Gibran’s poem Fear, which reflects on a river’s apprehension as it prepares to merge with the ocean. Presented as a first-person narrative from the river’s perspective, the production journeys back through its many experiences, exploring the landscapes, memories and transformations that have shaped its course. While remaining rooted in the grammar of Bharatanatyam, the production incorporates elements inspired by folk dance and contemporary movement, complemented by an equally diverse musical score composed by Embar Kannan.

Shobanaa Bhalchandra is among the early disciples of the renowned dance duo Shanta and V. P. Dhananjayan and trained in the Kalakshetra style of Bharatanatyam. She further specialised in abhinaya under Kalanidhi Narayanan and has also received professional training in classical music and nattuvangam. Founder of the Tharanginee School of Bharatanatyam in Chennai, she is an empanelled artiste of the ICCR and a Grade ‘A’ artiste of Doordarshan. She has performed extensively at prestigious festivals and sabhas in India and abroad and has created numerous dance productions.

In Urjataranga, Amruta Paranjape presents a performance that celebrates the dynamic interplay of tala, laya and bhava through both traditional Kathak compositions and original choreographies. Alongside intricate rhythmic explorations, the performance draws inspiration from allied Indian classical traditions, including Bharatanatyam, while engaging with concepts such as Ninda Stuti. The evening also revisits traditional forms like hori and chaturang, culminating in an expansive rhythmic composition by Suresh Talwalkar that embodies the energetic spirit at the heart of Urjataranga.

A Kathak dancer and choreographer based in Pune, Amruta Paranjape trained under Shambhavi Dandekar and received advanced instruction in laya-taal from Suresh Talwalkar. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Kathak from Lalit Kala Kendra and a Nrityaalankar from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. A recipient of several honours, including the Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Award, Pta. Rohini Bhate Puraskar, the Golden Talent Award presented by Birju Maharaj and the Sawai Gandharva Scholarship, she is an empanelled artiste of the ICCR, a Grade ‘B’ artiste of Doordarshan and the founder and artistic director of Abhivyakti School of Kathak, Pune.

Join us to experience an evening that brings together two accomplished artistes and two distinctive choreographic works, offering fresh perspectives on Bharatanatyam and Kathak while remaining rooted in their classical traditions.