Archive · 22 Sep 2026
NCPA’s Nakshatra Festival Brings Classical Dance Traditions Together
Nakshatra is a dance festival organised by the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai.
It will happen on three days in September and October 2026.
Six groups of dancers will perform together in different Indian classical dance styles.
These styles include Mohiniattam, Sattriya, Odissi, Kathak and Bharatanatyam.
Each performance will show different stories, movements and artistic traditions.
Some of the dancers are mentors in a programme called Nrityagurukul.
That programme helps young dancers learn from experienced artists and perform professionally.
The festival celebrates both India’s classical dance heritage and its continuing growth.
Nakshatra 2026 will be held in Mumbai on 27 September, 3 October and 4 October.
The festival will feature ensemble performances in Mohiniattam, Sattriya, Odissi, Kathak and Bharatanatyam.
Jayaprabha Menon, Ramkrishna Talukdar, Aruna Mohanty, Rajendra Gangani, Sharmila Biswas and Sandhya Purecha will lead the performances.
The festival highlights the guru-shishya tradition through mentors associated with the NCPA’s Nrityagurukul programme.
Performances will take place at the Experimental Theatre and Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, with tickets opening to members on 9 September and the public on 12 September.
- Who
- The National Centre for the Performing Arts, along with leading classical dancers and their ensembles, including Jayaprabha Menon, Ramkrishna Talukdar, Aruna Mohanty, Rajendra Gangani, Sharmila Biswas and Sandhya Purecha.
- What
- Nakshatra 2026, a classical dance festival featuring ensemble performances in five Indian dance traditions.
- When
- 27 September, 3 October and 4 October 2026, with performances beginning at 5:00 PM.
- Where
- The Experimental Theatre and Jamshed Bhabha Theatre at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai.
- Why
- To celebrate collective choreography, diverse classical traditions, artistic heritage and the transmission of dance knowledge between generations.
- Organiser
- National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA)
- Festival
- Nakshatra 2026
- Dates
- 27 September, 3 October and 4 October 2026
- Dance forms
- Mohiniattam, Sattriya, Odissi, Kathak and Bharatanatyam
- Venues
- Experimental Theatre and Jamshed Bhabha Theatre
- Member ticket sales
- Begin 9 September
- Public ticket sales
- Begin 12 September
- Age limit
- 6 years and above