Natya Vriksha's spotlight on heritage and future of Indian classical dance

Natya Vriksha presented the 18th edition of the World Dance Day Festival 2025 in collaboration with the India International Centre (IIC) last weekend. Conceived and curated by Bharatnatyam exponent Geeta Chandran, the two-day celebration took place on April 26 and 27 at IIC, New Delhi.
This year’s festival continued Natya Vriksha’s legacy as the first institution in India to mark formal celebrations on World Dance Day. Over the years, it has evolved into a vibrant cultural platform featuring performances, lectures, workshops and discussions, spotlighting both the heritage and future of Indian dance. What set the WDD Fest 2025 apart was its inclusive spirit—embracing and presenting all styles and forms of dance, encouraging participation and dialogue across traditions.
This year’s line-up included Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi and Odissi artists, offering audiences a rare opportunity to witness the rising stars of Indian dance.
A key highlight of Day 1 was the conferral of the 6th Natya Vriksha Lifetime Achievement Award to SPIC MACAY and its visionary founder, Dr. Kiran Seth, in recognition of their tireless efforts in preserving and promoting India’s cultural heritage amongst youth.

In his words, “This honour is not mine alone—it belongs to every student who has sat in awe before an artist, to every volunteer who has given their time to SPIC MACAY, and to every institution that believes in the power of the arts to shape minds and lives. In a world of constant change, classical arts anchor us to something deeper, something timeless.”

Day I began with a lecture titled “Dancing Away” by Ashok Vajpeyi—a poetic and philosophical reflection on how dance, while rooted in the present, opens portals to imagination, memory, and transcendence. This is followed by the Young Dancers Festival - a series of evening performances - featuring Madhura Bhrushundi presenting Bharatanatyam, and Dheerendra Tiwari showcasing Kathak. On Day II, Sunday, 27 April 2025, opened with the Movement and Dance Aesthetics Workshop by Tanusree Shankar, a free session for dancers trained in all styles with a minimum of five years of training. The afternoon presents “AVATARANA – The Story of Natya,” a theatrically witty retelling of a 2,500-year-old saga, scripted and performed by Ramaa Bharadvaj, exploring the divine origins of Indian dance through humour and insight. The Young Dancers Festival on day 2 featured Abhinaya Nagajothy in Kuchipudi and Shashwati Garai Ghosh in Odissi.

Reflecting on the recognition, Padma Shri awardee Dr. Kiran Seth shared his gratitude and vision for the future of cultural engagement. He said, “This honour is not mine alone—it belongs to every student who has sat in awe before an artist, to every volunteer who has given their time to SPIC MACAY, and to every institution that believes in the power of the arts to shape minds and lives. In a world of constant change, classical arts anchor us to something deeper, something timeless. I receive this award with humility, and with renewed commitment to take this movement to every corner of India.”

Curator of this legendary festival, Geeta Chandran, Founder-President, Natya Vriksha, said, “World Dance Day is a moment to pause and celebrate what dance brings into our lives, not just technique or tradition, but emotion, truth, and transformation. This festival is our offering to the art, and to the young dancers who will carry it forward.”