Experience the realm of classical Indian dance, which entails not only performance but also an experiential journey of courage and hope. As the 24th edition of the LalitArpan Festival returns to the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, this is your opportunity to see the magic unfold. The theme this year is “Antah-Shakti: Courage and Hope”, which will manifest in dance performances on October 8th and 9th, 2025, at 7 PM. It is an attempt to animate stories of resilience, metamorphosis, and the indomitable nature of the human spirit in a series of dance dramas and solo performances.
Over decades, Indian classical dance has always performed storytelling to heal, inspire and connect. This year at the LalitArpan Festival, we will open up for performances based on real-life accounts that stop you in your tracks and make you think. Every mudra will represent the true meaning of celebration for those who have risen above oppression. Even if you are a dancer or you are attending for the first time, the festival will open space for you to feel, learn, and awaken through the arts.
A Legacy of Artistic Excellence: The Journey of LalitArpan
In the year 2002, design and nurtured by Kathak legend Padmashri Guru Shovana Narayan, Dr Jyotsna Suri, and the late Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan, tabla collaborator with the late Legend of Kathak, LalitArpan has positioned itself at the intersection of tradition and innovation. The essence of the festival is simple- to provide a stage where new dancers share a moment with senior artists, making classical performing arts resonate with audiences of new generations.
For many years, LalitArpan has presented over 100 torchbearers of Indian Classical dance, reminding the attendees that every tradition refreshes itself through courage- Courage to tell new stories, courage to speak with new voices, and courage to reinterpret the essence of dance.
Programme Highlights at a Glance
| Date | Performance | Artists | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 October | AGNIPANKH | Shovana Narayan (Kathak), Shruti Gupta Chandra | Based on real-life stories of an autistic pianist, a transgender person, and an acid victim survivor, all of whom are working in the hospitality industry. |
| 8 October | KATHAK | Nrityashree Alaknanda | A cancer survivor’s strength and grace on stage; reflects the power of the human spirit. |
| 9 October | PARKAYA | Akshobhya Bhardwaj (Mumbai) | A cancer survivor’s meditative journey; a deeply personal and artistic Kathak exploration that transcends physical limitations and embraces inner transformation. |
| 9 October | RASHMIRATHI | Komal Biswal & Ensemble, Shovana Narayan & others | An Asavari Presentation on Karna (Mahabharata), who, despite being abandoned at birth and raised by a charioteer, became a powerful warrior and remained steadfastly committed to his duty, even in the face of moral dilemma. |
Stories That Inspire: Courage and Hope on Stage
Explore the theme of the festival even further with the dance dramas: Agnipankh, choreographed and performed by Shovana Narayan and Shruti Gupta Chandra, beautifully represent those who refuse to be bound by circumstance: an autistic pianist who finds music from silence, a transgender person’s coming to terms with acceptance, and an acid attack survivor who embraces the world of hospitality.
None of the stories on stage is fiction; they are lived experiences. The solo by Nrityashree Alaknanda is one more such ray of hope, where a cancer survivor engages Kathak to redefine suffering into strength. When Akshobhya Bhardwaj shares “Parkaya,” you can feel the transformation that comes from acknowledging your own demons. Similarly, “Rashmirathi” is a portrayal of Karna’s life, reminding us that history and mythology mirror our own time by expressing struggles, isolation, and redemption of every outcast in society.
Asavari: The Heart of the Festival
The driving force behind the festival undoubtedly is the dance institution, Asavari, which was founded by Shovana Narayan in 1979. Asavari is no ordinary classical dance teacher training institution; it is a thriving community whose aim is to preserve, promote, and humanise the classical arts. This essentially begins with the Gurukul tradition, where students not only learn the techniques for Kathak but also take in higher lessons about love, trust, and values that inform their performance, creating an act of service, empathy, and even humanity in each performance.
Asavari believes that the work of developing a Kathak community goes beyond the studio. Their vision includes training learners through festivals like LalitArpan, Rhythm and Joy, and gatherings periodically throughout the year. Asavari trains learners, commissions new work, and encourages research in choreography and dance studies, an interconnected relationship between art, economics, social sciences, and philosophy, for example, a broader conversation in society and participation for change.
Beyond Entertainment: Dance as Empathy and Transformation
You may come to LalitArpan expecting to enjoy beautiful clothes, intricate footwork, and the magnetic energy of live performance. But it has a lot more to offer- it will be a visceral encounter in which art becomes a healing language.
In “Rashmirathi”, we see Karna in an internal struggle with destiny, duty, and consequence. To us, the choreography is a reflection of every inner conflict we all experience on our human journey. In “Parkaya” and in “Kathak”, healing is not explained; it is executed.
Ways you can engage: activities and opportunities
- Come to the festival free of charge (you need to be seated by 6:45 PM!) and engage with all of the excitement and joy of being with others in a celebration of creative excellence.
- Take part in workshops or live Q&A sessions with the artists – a pleasant excuse for collective sharing, learning, and connecting.
- Witness and be a part of the energy and commitment of a significant event by volunteering or being on the organising committee.
- As a member of the press or cultural community, schedule interviews, social media coverage, and report on the stories.
Event Details and More
- Open for All: 8th and 9th October, 2025
- Time: 7 pm onwards
- Venue: Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
Allow the rhythm of resilience and the sound of hope to fill your heart! This October offers a unique opportunity to participate in the 24th edition of the LalitArpan Festival in Delhi. If you love dance or if you are just inquisitive to see some impactful stories representing what it means to be human unfold physically on a stage, these evenings will provide not only perfect entertainment but also connection, transformation, and general delight. Bring friends, family, or even your inquisitive self – all are invited. Allow yourself to be moved- come, experience the beat of Antah-Shakti, and celebrate hope and bravery among legends and everyday heroes. The festival awaits you!
