Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Mayuri Upadhya Explores Faith, Love And Surrender Through Dance
Mayuri Upadhya has created a dance work called Bhakti - A Shared Longing.
It uses poems and songs connected to many saints and poets.
These writers came from different places, languages and faith traditions.
Upadhya says they were all searching for love, truth and a deeper connection.
She wants people to look beyond labels such as “us” and “them.”
She also believes dance can express devotion in many different styles.
The stage version of Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya had to respect the famous film performance while adding something new.
She made that piece longer and gave Anarkali’s feelings a stronger voice.
One part of Bhakti has no dancing at all, because Upadhya felt the words and singing were enough.
Mayuri Upadhya’s production Bhakti - A Shared Longing explores poetic devotion through voices from different regions, religions and languages.
Upadhya says the work invites audiences to look beyond individual identities and recognize a shared movement toward love and truth.
She selected poets organically through poetry that resonated with her, while choosing songs for accessibility and contrasting emotional qualities.
For the stage version of Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, she extended the song from five minutes to seven and a half minutes.
Upadhya says bhakti depends on the performer’s intent rather than a particular dance form, and one section of the production uses only voice and words.
- Who
- Choreographer Mayuri Upadhya and the poets and saints whose works inform her production.
- What
- Upadhya discusses Bhakti - A Shared Longing, a dance work exploring faith, love, surrender and shared human longing.
- When
- The production is scheduled to be showcased at NCPA this week.
- Where
- At NCPA; the interview also discusses the stage musical featuring Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya.
- Why
- Upadhya created the work as a response to divisions and events around her, and to explore a shared movement toward love and truth.
- Production
- Bhakti - A Shared Longing
- Choreographer
- Mayuri Upadhya
- Venue
- NCPA
- Poetic sources
- Works connected to figures including Meerabai and Khusrow
- Featured stage song
- Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya
- Song duration
- Extended from five minutes to seven and a half minutes
- Movement-free section
- The composition Or Emi Setura is presented through voice and words without movement on stage