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November 12, 2026 Mumbai
The NCPA META Festival, Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) Festival 2026.
The Old Man and the Sea - Kathakali of Morrow is a retelling of Ernest Hemingway’s immortal novella, through a clever subversion of the classical Kathakali format. In an experimental setting, it reimagines Hemingway’s classic story about Santiago, the old fisherman; his lonesome home along the Cuban shore of the Atlantic Ocean; Manolin, his boy-companion, and the great marlin he harpoons after 84 days of fishing without a catch. The play reinforces adopting the dramatic and technical aspects of modern theatre within the basic principles of traditional Kathakali, creating an immersive audience experience. A winner at META 2026 for Best Actor in a Lead Role (Male).
Directed by Neeraj G. M.
Cast: Peesappilly Rajeevan, Mario Barzaghi, Pradeep Kumar C, Hari R Nair, Abhijith, Arun Kumar & others
Musicians: Venu Mohan, Ravisanker, Sreejith & Vyshakh
Light Design: Alex Sunny
At: Experimental Theatre, 7pm
November 14, 2026 NYC
Mesma Belsare performs at Gibney in Manhattan alongside Sonali Skandan in an evening titled CARVED IN TIME. Two dancers from different lineages and trained under different gurus. Each path has shaped a distinct artistic voice through decades of practice. This concert brings those voices together without asking them to become the same. Carved in Time is a concert of two complete solo performances with live music. It offers the time and space for each work to unfold on its own terms.
At: Gibney Agnes Varis Performing Arts Centre, 53A Chambers St, NY, 7pm
Info: info@mesmabelsare.com
November 15, 2026 Bangalore
Bansi Bilash presents CALL OF THE FLUTE featuring BN dancer Shangita Namasivayam (Malaysia) and Odissi dancer Debasish Patnaik (Bangalore) with artistic direction by Leena Mohanty.
At: ADA Rangamandira, 6pm
Info: shyamunleen@gmail.com
November 15, 2026 Middlesex, NJ
MAULI - A TIMELESS TRADITION by Bala Devi Chandrashekar for Vitthal Mandir US Fundraiser.
At: Middlesex High School, 300 John F Kennedy Dr, Middlese, NJ 08846, 4pm
Tickets
November 18, 2026 Mumbai
THE LIVING PRAKRITI: WHERE BODY MEETS TEXT (Harmonising Natya and Ayur Shastra)
Where does the medical text end and the dance text begin? This cultural and wellness showcase is an exploration of kinetic healing, where the moving metaphor of dance meets the therapeutic science of Ayurveda. Curated by Dr. Lata Surendra, the prelude to the evening will be set by speakers followed by performances by artistes who have crossed 70 winters. They will explore the idea that the body is a living palm-leaf manuscript. Witness the synthesis of Natyashastra and Ayurshastra where seasoned masters of dance forms will demonstrate how the natural transitions of aging command the stage through the pure depth of lived experience. The dialogue and performances will conclude with a modern presentation by Sreejith Dancity, in which contemporary dancers through innovative choreography by Sreejith, will map the internal, microscopic healing energies of Ayurveda onto a modern canvas—proving that these concepts are timeless, fluid and universally transformative, and that movement is medicine.
Directed & curated by Dr. Lata Surendra
Artistes: Darshana Jhaveri, Shovana Narayan, Sunayana Hazarilal, Dr. Sucheta Bhide Chapekar, Dr. Lata Surendra, Jhelum Paranjape, Dr. Jeyanthy Yogarajah & Chithra Sukumaran
Speakers: Dr. Uma Rele, Dr. Lata Narayan & Dr. Rajyalaksmi Seth
Produced by Dr. Lata Surendra in collaboration with AIAA / Collaborator: Dr. Rekha Gour
At: Experimental Theatre Wednesday, 3.30pm to 9.30pm
November 19, 2026 Bangalore
Kalavaahini presents ALL FOR DANCE, a quarterly program curated by Malavika Sarukkai featuring Shashwati Gharai Ghosh in BHAVIKA-Transcending Language.
At: Bangalore International Centre, 7pm. All are welcome. Registration is mandatory.
Info: Kalavaahinitrust@gmail.com
November 20, 2026 Mumbai
UTKARSH - DEMYSTIFYING INDIAN DANCE - a Lecture-Demonstration series on Aspects of Abhinaya by Nandini Ramani, disciple of T Balasaraswati.
At: Godrej Dance Theatre, 11am
November 20 & 21, 2026 Mumbai
NCPA presents KELUCHARAN–KEERTI–SHATAKAM commemorating the Birth Centenary of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra in Mumbai. Conceived by Guruji’s disciples in Mumbai, in collaboration with NCPA, Mumbai, and Srjan, Bhubaneswar, this celebration honours the legendary maestro whose artistic vision and timeless legacy continue to inspire generations worldwide.
At: Veer Savarkar auditorium, Dadar, 5pm on Nov 20
At: Experimental theatre, NCPA, 4pm on Nov 21
Info: srjan.bbsr@gmail.com
November 21, 2026 Allschwil, Switzerland
Kalasri ensemble presents dance and music theatre production KALA CHAKRA.
Choreo / Dance / Text: D. Keshava, Anjali Keshava, Sumitra Keshava, Esther Jenny with their Kalasri Dance and Music ensemble
At: Calvinhaus, Allschwil, 5pm
Tickets
From 3:30pm: Anniversary exhibition "50 Years of Kalasri"
Info: keshava@kalasri.com
November 21, 2026 Palo Alto, CA
Pratibha - A chamber concert presenting Kuchipudi by Siva Sashank Toleti, disciple of Sailaja Chaudhary Tummala.
At: Midpen Media Center Studios, 900 San Antonio Rd, Palo Alto, CA, 4pm. Free entry,
Info: info@yuvabharati.org
November 22, 2026 Bangalore
Lalgudi Trust and Academy of Music present JAYA JAYA DEVI of violin maestro Lalgudi Jayraman choreographed by Guru Rhadha. Maestros Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi have taken the initiative to revive this landmark production on behalf of the Lalgudi Trust. Originally staged in 1994, Jaya Jaya Devi made a path-breaking international impact with an extensive tour across 24 cities in the United States and Canada, besides several acclaimed performances in India.
The ensemble of dancers features Nideesh Kumar, Manasvini Ramachandran, Varsha Rajkumar, Sathvikaa Shankar, Anjali Hariharan, Smrithika Janardhanan, Sunderasan Pandurangan, Shruthi Vidhashankar, Raksha D Raghavan and Tanish Karthik. The music ensemble comprises Jayashri Ramanathan (nattuvangam), R.P. Shravan, Sunil Gargyan, Krithika Arvind and Janani Hamsini (vocals), Karthikeyan Ramanathan (mridangam), Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi (violin), J.B. Sruthi Sagar (flute), Sai Shravanam (tabla) and S. Gnapathi (Special Effects).
At: Chowdiah Hall, 6pm
November 29, 2026 Bangalore
The International Arts & Cultural Foundation (IACF), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Bengaluru, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, presents “BEYOND CANCER - RHYTHMS OF RESILIENCE,” a distinctive all-women's classical dance festival celebrating the extraordinary journeys of accomplished classical dancers who have battled cancer and emerged with renewed strength, determination and artistic excellence. Conceptualised and curated by Srivatsa Shandilya, Founder Director of IACF, the festival features: Shubhada Varadkar, Mumbai - Odissi exponent, Roja Kannan, Chennai - Bharatanatyam exponent, Nayanika Ghosh, Gurgaon - Kathak exponent, Rajini Nair, Bengaluru - Mohiniattam dancer.
At the Auditorium, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Palace Road, Bengaluru, 5pm. All are welcome.
Info: vatsaphoto@gmail.com
December 9, 2026 Delhi
Students of Sharmila Mukerjee present an Odissi performance at Winter Festival (Delhi).
At: India International Center, Delhi, 6.30pm
Info: sanjali.odissi@gmail.com
December 18 - 27, 2026 Chennai
Kalakshetra presents its 73RD ANNUAL ART FESTIVAL.
Schedule
Venue: Bharata Kalakshetra auditorium
December 19, 2026 Kollam, Kerala
Sharmila Mukerjee and Sanjali ensemble present an Odissi performance at Kollam as part of Soorya Festival at 6pm.
Info: sanjali.odissi@gmail.com
December 20, 2026 Varkala, Kerala
Sharmila Mukerjee and Sanjali Ensemble present an Odissi performance at Varkala as part of Soorya Festival at 6pm.
Info: +91 6362674023 / +91 98862 31500 / sanjali.odissi@gmail.com
December 22 & 23, 2026 Bhubaneswar
Art Vision@30 celebrates 30th year anniversary with a two-day festival called 'Retrospective' at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar. The festival showcases some of the iconic group choreographies of the ensemble besides felicitating musicians, writers and dancers who have been part of the journey. A volume by the same title will be released containing descriptions of the choreographic process of selected works authored by Ileana Citaristi.
Info: icitaris@gmail.com
December 26-28, 2026 Chennai
The 44th NATYA KALA CONFERENCE conceived and curated by Urmila Sathyanarayanan is titled ADIPADAIYUM AZHAGUM.
Details
At: Krishna Gana Sabha, T Nagar
January 3 - 9, 2027 Chennai
The Madras Music Academy presents its 20TH ANNUAL DANCE FESTIVAL with 3 free programs (9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm) in the morning and 2 ticketed shows (6pm and 7.45pm) in the evening.
Schedule
Venue: Music Academy, TTK Rd, Chennai 600014
January 31, 2027 Ghaziabad
Kathak artiste Abha Bansal, a student of Guru Kundan Lal Gangani, and her Kathak institute, Nupur Kathak Kendra, in Ghaziabad, commemorate the centenary of her Guru, in which Pt. Rajendra Gangani will perform live for his father. Abha and her students present their samarpan of nritya sewa.
At: Hindi Bhavan, Ghaziabad
Info: 9818497268 / abha.ghaziabad@gmail.com
February 7, 2027 Bangalore
Sanjali centre for Odissi Dance presents SAMARPANA by all the students of Sharmila Mukerjee.
At: Bangalore International Centre, (BIC) Bangalore, 5.30pm
Info: +91 6362674023 / +91 98862 31500 / sanjali.odissi@gmail.com
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