Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant & Dr Manjiri Deo @NCPA

Bharatanatyam by Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant & Shankarananda Kalakshetra
Guruvandana
Kathak by Dr. Manjiri Deo’s Shree Ganesh Nritya Kala Mandir
curated by Mukundraj Deo

An NCPA Presentation

Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant is one of India’s most eminent classical dancers, choreographers and dance scholars. A recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar, she is celebrated for her artistic brilliance and leadership in the field of Bharatanatyam. As the founder and artistic director of Shankarananda Kalakshetra—Hyderabad’s premier institution for classical dance established in 1979 which has emerged as a beacon for holistic training and creative excellence—she has nurtured generations of dancers and built an internationally acclaimed ensemble known for its intricate choreography.

Bhavayami Raghuramam brings together two evocative dance pieces that celebrate the divinity and legend of Rama. The first item is a devotional composition by 17th-century saint-poet Bhakta Ramadas, which pays homage to Rama while vividly portraying the ten incarnations of Vishnu through expressive abhinaya and rhythmic choreography. The second item, set to a timeless composition by Swati Tirunal, traces the Ramayana in seven lyrical segments. Through powerful storytelling, graceful movement and rich music, it highlights key episodes from the epic—ranging from Rama’s childhood to his coronation—offering audiences a deeply devotional experience.

Dr. Manjiri Deo has been a prominent figure in the world of Kathak for over 50 years. A multifaceted personality, she excels as a dancer, writer, composer, teacher, actress and organiser. Dr. Deo began her journey under the renowned Kathak and Bharatanatyam virtuoso Badrinath Kulkarni and later continued her training under Asha Joglekar, Nataraj Gopikrishna, Dr. Sitara Devi, Dr. Puru Dadheech and Dr. Vibha Dadheech. A gandabandh shagird of Dr. Puru Dadheech in the Shastra tradition, she is proficient in the Banaras, Jaipur, Raigad and Lucknow gharanas. Dr. Deo has made significant contributions to the field of Kathak through her books and articles which serve as valuable resources for learners of Kathak. She has been awarded the National Senior Fellowship of CCRT (2023) for her ongoing research on Samarth Ramdas. She is the founder of Shri Ganesh Nritya Kalamandir.

Her son, renowned tabla artiste, Mukundraj Deo, will be showcasing some of her special choreographies through the presentation Guruvandana—celebrating Dr. Deo’s contribution to Kathak.

Box Office now open.